REGIONAL: Emergency responders tee off for a good cause

By Amy Batista, Special Writer
   Local emergency responders hosted their 20th annual Golf Outing to raise money for scholarship funds that support high school graduates pursuing community service professions.
   ”The golf outing started 20 years ago as a way for the Roebling Volunteer Fire Co. 3 to raise money,” said Stephen “Fuzzy” Fazekas, co-chairman of the event.
   The outing was held at the Hanover Golf Club, located at 133 Larrison Road in Wrightstown, on Aug. 16. Registration began at 11 a.m. followed by golfers teeing off at noon.
   In 2005, the three fire companies in Florence Township joined together as one company.
   ”The new fire company, combined with Florence FOP (Fraternal Order of Police) Lodge No. 210, continued with the Golf Outing,” he said. “Each year since the FOP and fire company combined to run the Golf Outing.”
   Det. James Ford, president of the Florence FOP Lodge No. 210, noted the event has become a “time honored tradition.”
   ”It brings together the emergency services to raise money to give back to the community and support the educational endeavors of its students,” said Det. Ford. “Florence FOP Lodge No. 210 is honored to be a part of the annual Golf Outing and would like to thank the participants and sponsors that make it possible to provide scholarships on an annual basis to graduating high school seniors.”
   The first $1,000 raised is applied to the Chief Richard Yurcisin Scholarships, two $500 scholarships given to graduates who will continue their education in some type of community service profession.
   ”Some years, golfers and sponsors have given money to increase the scholarships to $1,500,” Mr. Fazekas said. “When we hand out the scholarships in 2015, the total scholarships given will be $10,000.”
   Approximately 137 golfers participated in this year’s event, according to officials.
   ”Everyone attends the event to socialize, have an enjoyable round of golf and dinner,” he said. “The real winners are the graduates who receive the scholarships and the two organizations — the fire department and FOP Lodge 210, receive funds to continue operating.”
   Belfor Restoration Company sponsored the putting contest and Lucas Chevy donated a vehicle and other prizes for the hole-in-one contest. The event also received over 40 sponsorships from local businesses.
   At the end of the event, the participants had a buffet dinner and the top three teams with the lowest scores received prizes.
   ”This event would not be as successful without the golfers, individuals, firefighters, police officers, their families and friends who volunteer to run the event and the local businesses who sponsor the event,” he said. “It has been a great 20 years and hopefully this outing will continue.”