The number of school children who need financial assistance at Valley Ridge Academy in Nocatee is on the rise at the same time government funding to help them is declining. That’s why the Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra hosted its inaugural NFL Par-Tee Charity Golf Tournament at nearby Palm Valley Golf Course on Sept. 22.
The proceeds from the event will go to Valley Ridge Academy and other Nocatee schools to help them with students who are in need as well as funding other charitable efforts of the Rotary Club’s foundation.
The latest data from the St. Johns County School District has identified 12 children who are homeless and attending Nocatee area schools. Furthermore, an estimated total of 65 children at three Nocatee K-8 schools require food donations on the weekends to get by.
Complicating matters, these schools are losing COVID-related relief grants from the federal government as part of the America Rescue Plan Act. This means helping children who are financially disadvantaged attend a class field trip with their peers, for example, or enroll in an after-school care program is becoming more difficult.
Over the past two years, Valley Ridge Academy has seen a significant increase in the number of students in need. The majority of them have a home but lack the financial resources to cover “out-of-pocket” school-related expenses. Others meet the federal McKinney-Vento Act definition of being homeless as they either lack a fixed, regular or adequate nighttime residence, or do not live with a parent or legal guardian and are thus considered to be an “unaccompanied youth.”
The NFL Par-Tee Charity Golf Tournament consisted of teams of golfers, each teeing off in a shotgun start for the event. Local merchants donated raffle prizes ranging from a free annual social membership at TPC Sawgrass to 500 free smoothies from Clean Juice in Nocatee.
There was a hole-in-one contest for a free golf cart from Nextgen Carts, a family-friendly “Fun Zone” that included games like a marshmallow driving contest, and food provided by the BF’nD and Mister Softee food trucks.
About 50 volunteers (high school students from Nease, Ponte Vedra and Creekside included, along with adults) helped out and several golfers took part.
Organizers estimate that the event generated $5,000 for the cause.
