from staff
Underscoring the PGA TOUR’s giving back mission, the TOUR’s TPC Sawgrass will host a “Valley of Dreams” charity event June 28-29 benefiting the Healing Every Autistic Life (HEAL) Foundation
The HEAL Foundation is a Ponte Vedra based non-profit organization dedicated to assisting children with autism.
Actress/model Jenny McCarthy, whose 4-year-old son has autism, will serve as a special guest host of the event. Activities will include a charity dinner gala and auction on June 28 in TPC Sawgrass’ new Mediterranean Revival-style clubhouse, and the First Annual Bobby Weed/Pete Dye Charity Classic golf tournament on June 29, on Dye’s newly renovated Valley Course. The tournament coincides with a re-dedication of the course, which Weed and Dye collaborated on when TPC Sawgrass was built more than 25 years ago.
Proceeds will support HEAL, a non-profit organization founded by Bobby and Leslie Weed in collaboration with noted local pediatrician Julie Buckley, MD, and all parents of children with autism. Together, they recognized a need in the community to assist the families of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, a condition that now affects one in 150 children. HEAL provides therapy and support services for children in need who cannot afford the high costs associated with autism, and has also assisted in the development of a unique musical communication program for children with autism.
“We are overwhelmed that the PGA TOUR has been so willing to help us realize our dream of building HEAL House and assisting families in the community affected by autism,” said Dr. Buckley. “Children with autism give up their childhood in the hope of regaining their adulthood; they work, every day, all day, at achieving what the rest of us take for granted. Recovery is possible, and fundraising events like this one will not only help facilitate recovery, but also help bring about awareness and education for the families of children with autism.”
Bobby Weed added, “we are indebted for the support extended to us by the PGA TOUR and TPC Sawgrass, and invite the entire community to join us June 28-29 at this important event.”
For more information on the HEAL Foundation’s Valley of Dreams event June 28-29, please call (904) 285-5651 or visit www.healautismnow.org.