NEWBURGH, N.Y., Sept. 12, 2024 – The annual Abilities First Golf & Tennis Classic netted more than $100,000 on a glorious September day Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 at the Powelton Club in Newburgh. All proceeds raised by the Foundation for Abilities First NY will benefit programs and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“This invaluable outpouring of love and unwavering support for Abilities First and our community are heartwarming,” said Abilities First CEO Jeffery Fox. “Such support – from sponsors, participants, volunteers and everyone whose graciousness helped make this event such a memorable success – creates impact by empowering positive change. This strengthens and advances our mission and quality of life for our deserving students and families.”

Abilities First, a nonprofit organization, provides people who face developmental challenges and their families support to attain independence, self-determination, integration and acceptance by others through education, exploration and experience.

The annual signature sold-out event included 124 golfers and 32 tennis participants. Under a warm, sunny sky, they hit the links and the tennis courts for an afternoon of fun, friendly competition, exercise and serving a worthy cause. The day started with a breakfast buffet, followed by a shotgun golf start, a grab-and-go lunch, an afternoon reception and awards. Fifteen Abilities First program participants were welcomed to the links for lunch and putting and a chance to enjoy the morning cheering on golf and tennis players. Abilities First is enormously thankful for the Powelton Club’s phenomenal staff and stellar cooperation.

Generous community underwriting has always been deeply appreciated by Abilities First. The net proceeds of more than $100,000 included $87,000 in golf sponsorships and $15,000 in tennis sponsorships. The Golf Presenter Sponsor was DVM Industries, a facilities and energy company providing services to the residential, commercial, banking, hospitality and healthcare markets. The Tennis Presenter Sponsor was the law firm Feldman, Kleidman, Collins & Sappe, LLC.

A warm welcome video from CBS Sports’ Jim Nantz greeted participants and guests. Nantz is a client of Source Financial Advisors, whose CEO, Michelle Smith, is a parent and passionate advocate of the disabilityA traditional term that generally means a person has a condition that makes it difficult for them to do things that those without disabilities can do. While we try to minimize use of this term because it emphasizes people’s limitations rather than strengths, it is sometimes necessary for diagnostic and funding purposes. community. Smith spends time in the Hudson Valley and Manhattan, and she founded The IDEAL School, a co-ed independent inclusion school for grades kindergarten through 12 in New York City. When arriving in the Hudson Valley, “I hunted down an organization that was worthy of spending my time and resources and found Abilities First,” Smith said. “Abilities First is the most dynamic, outstanding organization in this community north of New York City. They’re all such wonderful people.”

David Melby, Vice President of Corporate Benefits for NFP, an insurance brokerage and consulting company, has ardently supported Abilities First for 33 years. He recalls when the Golf & Tennis classic was new and remains impressed with its growth into a rewarding, vibrant event. “Abilities First sets new standards for fundraising,” he said, “and the Powelton Club is an outstanding environment for this event. It truly has made it special.”

Participants also bid during a live auction and silent auction for prizes that included a trip to Ocean City, Md., donated by Board of Directors member Pete Setaro; a Make Your Wine Experience from City Winery Hudson Valley; corporate box seats to a Billie Eilish concert, provided by Atlantic, Tomorrow’s Office; a one-year private destination golf membership donated by the Dormie Network Foundation; and a culinary experience at the Bellefield Inn at Bellefield of Historic Hyde Park.

Each golf course hole had a special attraction, including wine, beer, vodka and bourbon tasting; a cigar bar; snacks; and contests for the longest drive and balls left closest to the hole. This year’s championship trophy went to the Passero Associates Engineering & Architecture mixed team of Chris LaPorta, Stacey Kurian, Tom Ritzenthaler and Joseph Parker.

Other winners:

• First place, men’s team: Stenger, Glass, Hagstrom, Lindars & Iuele LLP.
• Second place, men’s: Cuddy & Feder, LLP.
• First place, mixed team: Passero Associates.
• Second place, men’s: Mutual of America Financial Group.
• First place, women’s team: Team NFP comprised of Lynn Melby, Tara Lea, Cheryl Ogles and Bonnie Turturro.
• Second place, women’s: The team of Ally, Myers, Graham and Kash.
• Longest drive, women’s: Patty Tesch, MVP Health Care.
• Longest drive, men’s: Joe Sofar, DVM.
• Closest to the Pin, women: Diane Paladino.
• Closest to the Pin, men’s: Peter Glass.

In addition to the principal sponsors, dozens of volunteers and other sponsors were crucial in coordinating and hosting the event. Additional sponsors included:

• Cocktail Reception Sponsor: Mackey Butts & Whelan, LLP, Attorneys at Law.
• Golfers Gift Sponsor: Personalize It, which specializes in made-to-order customized items.
• Beverage Cart Sponsor: INF, an energy services company.
• Golf Cart Sponsor: Stenger, Glass, Hagstrom, Lindars & Iuele LLP.
• Lunch N’ Putt Sponsor: Source Financial Advisors.
• Cigar Sponsor: M&O Sanitation, Inc.
• Mystery Gift Sponsor: The law firm of Cuddy & Feder, LLP.
• Power Card Sponsor: MVP Health Care.
• Scorecard Sponsor: Facilities Maintenance Corp. (F.M.C.)
• Practice Area Sponsor: Mutual of America Financial Group.
• Silent Auction Sponsor: M&T Bank.
• Live Auction Sponsor: The Bonadio Group, CPAs, Consultants & More.
• Rally Sponsor: RBT CPAs, LLP.
• Ace Sponsor: Healey Brothers Automotive Group.
• Ace Sponsor: The Dolgov Family.