LONG ISLANDERS VIE TO OUTSWING METS LEGEND—
AND TO HELP SHELTER NEIGHBORS
Day
on the Green Raises Critical Funds for Mercy Haven
ISLIP TERRACE, NY. JUNE 2, 2011. LONG ISLAND GOLFERS HAD A CHANCE TO OUTSWING
NY METS SHORTSTOP BUD HARRELSON – and to support compassionate housing and
advocacy for Long Island’s homeless and mentally ill – during Mercy Haven’s
Annual Golf Outing at the Island Hills Golf Club in Sayville, NY today.
Skies
were clear and sunny for the all-day event, with a brisk wind offering golfers
a handy excuse for any poor shots.
Still, 105 golfers and an additional 25 dinner guests reported success
as they raised thousands of dollars for Mercy Haven and its mission to offer
housing and supportive services to some of Long Island’s most at-risk
residents.
Former New York Mets
Shortstop and Long Island Ducks Owner Bud Harrelson lent his name, golf swing,
and luxury Ducks box to the cause, offering premier seats to a summer 2011
Ducks game to the winner of the “Beat Bud” contest at Hole 5. (Winners revealed below!) The tournament, which also featured contests
for the longest swing and best team performance, was sponsored by Empire
National Bank.
“We
are honored by your presence and delighted that almost half of you are joining
us for the first time this year,” said Sister Pat Griffith, CEO of Mercy
Haven. “I hope you agree that the
greatest gift we can receive is hearing from our wonderful participants.”
In
answer to Sister Pat’s request, three speakers at the event dinner shared their
experiences as residents of Mercy Haven, which
operates private and community residences throughout Suffolk County. Diane F., for instance, told how she had
suffered from depression throughout her life.
“When
I was 59 and diagnosed with a heart ailment, I thought that this would be my
‘way out’. I stopped taking my heart medication in hopes that my passing would
look like an unfortunate result of my heart disease. I ended up in the hospital
psychiatric ward. They stabilized my physical condition. At that point I
prayed. I said, ‘God, if you 
won’t take my life, then
give me something that will help me live.’ That’s when God sent me Mercy
Haven.” Diane added how happy she is now
to be living with Mercy Haven, to be going back to school to learn how to be a
peer counselor, and to be studying public speaking.
“Sometimes
everyone needs an extra dose of hope and help,” said Empire National Bank Vice
President and Branch Manager Dorothy Overton, who serves as board chair for
Mercy Haven “Mercy Haven has been making it happen for Long Islanders for more
than 25 years.” Overton emphasized
Empire’s commitment to community issues and local residents through its support
for a cause that focuses on fair and equitable housing for all Long
Islanders. Empire National Bank has
sponsored Mercy Haven’s annual golf outing since 2008.
In
addition to the golf outing and the dinner, participants enjoyed a raffle, door
prizes, gift bag give-aways, and 26 gift baskets
valued from $100 - $200 each. Bud
Harrelson alone generously donated raffle items including an autographed photo
and ball, both reading “’69 ws”; 3 sets of 8 tickets
each to 3 different LI ducks games throughout the summer; an autographed LI
Ducks ball; other Ducks items such as bobble heads, a stadium replica, cap and
t-shirt.
Sister
Kathy Nolan, co-founder of Mercy Haven, was the “guardian of the ring” as Bud
let her wear his ’86 Mets World Series ring while he was out on the course.
And the winners are…
Closest
to the pin:
David Warshauer
Longest
Drive Mens: Tony
Lombardi
Longest
Drive Ladies: Daphne Hoffman
Best
Team Ladies: Eileen Hickey,
R. Powers
B. Darcy
Best
Team Mens: Doug
Mandich
J. Solensky
K.
Balfe
C. Ferrara
Putting
Contest: Sergio Buscaglia