Golf Outing For Special Needs Adults Sells Out

The following comes from the Department for Persons With Disabilities (DPD):

The Department for Persons with Disabilities (DPD) 38th Annual Wiegand Farm Golf Classic, sponsored by Lakeland Bank, was held on June 25, 2012 at the Bowling Green Golf Club in Oak Ridge, NJ.  A full sold out crowd of 144 golfers attended the outing to show the support for DPD.

The Department for Persons with Disabilities provides residential and vocational support for adults with developmental disabilities and their families.  The DPD operates 9 group homes, 2 supervised apartments and a vocational day program throughout Morris, Passaic and Sussex County.

“The 2012 Wiegand Farm Golf Classic was one of our best ever.  We sold out the event and were blessed to have over 100 donors and sponsors.  We can’t thank everyone who participated enough for all of their support and kindness”, said DPD Development Director Christopher Brancato. 

The day started out with clouds and thunderstorms, but by 10:00AM the skies opened up and the sun came out.  The 144 golfers started off the day by watching 2 participants take a chance at a 60 foot putt for $2,500.   Unfortunately, both golfers fell short.  The golfers teed off soon after.  The team of Ennis, Ford, De Ryder and Coleman took down the best team score of -9 under par.  The highlight to many of the participant’s day was the “Win-A-Watch” hole where golfers took a shot at the green to win a watch from Alexander House resident Anthony Iovine.   Anthony has lived at the DPD for over 20 years and has become a staple at the golf classic. “The day is a lot of fun.  I gave out a lot of watches and even got to take a few shots myself”, Anthony said.

After golf, the luncheon, silent auction and award ceremony was held.  Father Matthew Twiggs, the pastor from St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Oak Ridge, led the invocation.  DPD Board Member and NJ State Treasurer for the Knights of Columbus, Bruce DeMolli presented Mike Vaclavicek and Tom Straten with the Knights of the Year Award for their work with the Disability Drives.  Rich and Carmela Douris were later presented with the Dominick Calabrese Humanitarian of the Year Award by DPD Executive Director Scott Milliken and last year’s winner Mike Calabrese.  Rich and Carmela have been longtime supporters of the DPD and have devoted their lives to helping children in need.

“I would like to congratulate the honorees, Mike Vaclavicek, Tom Straten and Rich and Carmela Douris for their many years of dedicated service to the DPD and their community.  Their leadership and contributions have had a significant impact of the lives of individuals and families throughout our state”, wrote NJ Governor Chris Christie through a letter to all participants.

The day concluded with a silent auction and raffle drawings.  Mr. Vincent Gambino of Rome, Italy won the largest prize of the day, a $3,700 through the DPD’s first Mega 50-50.  Mr. Gambino is the brother of Providence Kaminski who is a former DPD Volunteer.

“We would like to thank all of our Sponsors and donors especially our Event Sponsor Lakeland Bank and Platinum Sponsors Joseph A. Natoli Construction and Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.   The event would not have been possible without our dedicated Wiegand Farm Golf Committee especially chairman Jack Kelly who has been a part of all 38 of our golf classics! We would also like to thank all of our volunteers, especially Billy from Basile Apartments and Anthony from Alexander House, who reminded us all what the Wiegand Farm Golf Classic is all about”, said DPD Executive Director Scott Milliken.  

If you are interested in golfing in the 2013 Wiegand Farm Golf Classic or if you would like to sponsor the 2012 event please contact DPD Development Director Chris Brancato at  973-406-1104 or at Chrisb@DPD.org.  

“There are not many Golf Outings, or fundraisers for that matter, than have been in existence for nearly 4 decades!  We are proud that the Wiegand Farm Golf Classic is one of them and are blessed to have support from our local communities, corporations and friends. The 2012 Wiegand Farm Golf Classic really hit a “hole-in-one “for the Department for Persons with Disabilities”, Mr. Milliken added.