The St. Johns County Education Foundation Inc., which operates as INK! (Investing in Kids) a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, received top-level sponsorship from local real estate firm, Davidson Realty Inc. for the inaugural INK! Charity Pro-Am , and more than $50,000 from the overall PXG Women’s Professional Match Play Championship hosted at World Golf Village in October at World Golf Village.
The fundraiser was a part of the Women’s All Pro-Tour, a developmental level tour for aspiring LPGA professionals.
According to INK! Executive Director Donna Lueders, the organization accepted the initial $15,000 donation to participate as key beneficiary of the event from Sherry Davidson, co-founder and president of Davidson Realty and its sister companies. Davidson also serves as a longtime member on INK!’s board of directors.
The additional $50,000 donation to support INK!’s programs and services was from golfers, sponsors and contributors who participated in the Pro-Am golf event in St. Augustine.
The Pro-Am attracted 32 teams with three amateur golfers competing on a team along with one professional female golf athlete.
Special recognition and thanks were bestowed on Vallencourt Construction Company of Green Cove Springs for the firm’s participation and support as a key sponsor in the golf tournament and also as a sponsor of a recent INK! fundraiser, Davidson Cares Clay Day.
The Davidson event contributed $25,000 to INK! in October. The “Davidson Double Down” won by Vallencourt included the best combined score from the company’s participation in Davidson Cares Clay Day and the Pro-Am.
Local companies who participated as sponsors of the INK! Charity Pro-Am included Mastercraft Builder Group, Matthews Design Group, Ring Power and Providence Homes.
The INK! Charity Pro-am presented by Davidson Realty on Oct. 25 kicked off a 10-day celebration of women’s and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at the center of which was a two-tournament series of professional women’s golf.
“INK! fit right in as the official charity partner of the PXG Women’s Match Play Championship since the overall tournament week focused on creating opportunities,” said Lueders. “We applaud all of our sponsors and players who are making a financial investment in our public schools. This is a major golf fundraiser for the organization, and the most money we have ever received from a single event. We are thrilled.”
Since its inception in 1994, INK! has granted more than $7.5 million to help fund underserved public schools in St. Johns County with more than 81 percent of the funds raised going into the classroom for teachers and students.
“As a smaller nonprofit in our market, we were eager to take advantage of the spotlight these events afforded us,” said Lueders. “All fundraisers raise the organization’s level of awareness immensely, which will ultimately lead to even more opportunities for those we serve.”
