Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Golf tournament to raise money for Hyland Teen Center

(Originally published in the 4/12/16 edition)

   The Kyle Hyland Foundation for Teen Support will be holding its first Kyle Hyland Foundation Golf Tournament Charity Fundraiser at the Mare Island Golf Club on Sunday, May 15. All proceeds will benefit the foundation’s new teen center.
   The foundation was set up by Barbara Gervase after her 16-year-old son Kyle Hyland’s suicide in December 2014 with the goal of promoting the awareness of teen suicide rates and providing a support network for teens suffering from anxiety or depression. One of the main objectives was the establishment of a teen center where Benicia youth ages 13 to 19 could come together, decompress, have fun and receive emotional support if they needed it. After nearly a year of looking for a reasonable space, Pastor Jerry Pollard of Gateway Church agreed to lend space for the center in an unutilized building behind the church at 1035 Military West. 
   The Hyland Teen Center officially opened on Jan. 22 with limited hours. Since then, it expanded its hours to 3 to 6:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 1 to 8 p.m. The center features game tables, a lounge area with a TV for video games and movies, a stage with a sound system and musical equipment, art supplies, a snack bar and a study area for teens to do homework. Additionally, on select Fridays the center will hold movie nights or theme nights such as Karaoke Night or Game Night.
   However, Gervase says some items are still needed such as a storage shed and laptops for teens to do their homework on. 
   “We are in need of extra funds so that we can sponsor activities, activity nights and theme nights at the teen center,” she said. 
   An ongoing fundraiser is currently being held through the crowdfunding site YouCaring.com, in which a link can be accessed through the foundation’s website. The golf fundraiser will be another way to raise money for the center.
   The format of the fundraiser will be a four-person scramble in which team members tee off on each hole and then determine which shot they liked best and mark that spot with a tee or ball marker. The other team members have to place their ball within one club length of the marked spot. Prizes will be given for the lowest team score, longest drive, closest to pin and longest putt. The fee is $110 per golfer or $400 for a four-person team until Friday, April 15 when the prices increase to $125 and $450 respectively. Entries will only be accepted through April 30. The entry will will include a continental breakfast, lunch, 18 holes of golf and a variety of balls. 
   The foundation is looking for local businesses to help sponsor the tournament and provide prizes for the ensuing silent auction. Details on sponsorship levels can be found at KyleHyland.com.

   The tournament will be held on May 15 at the Mare Island Golf Club, located at 1800 Club Drive in Vallejo. Registration and breakfast will begin at 9 a.m., and a shotgun start will take place at 11 a.m. For a registration form and additional information, visit KyleHyland.com

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