A beautiful summer morning at Fresh Meadow Country Club in Lake Success, New York, beheld the 13th Annual OHEL Children’s Home and Family Services Rosemil Healthcare Golf Classic sponsored by Rosemil Healthcare.
Over 150 golfers, family members and friends gathered to enjoy a festive day of great golf, culinary fare and an inspiring program.
The culinary festivities began with a delicious breakfast spread while the golfers practiced on the putting green and driving range in preparation for the tournament and contests.
The golfers wound through the course, stopping play only to visit the delicious BBQ lunch or serving stations spread throughout the golf course. The run of play was competitive and went down to the wire.
The winning foursome was Zalmie Rosenberg, Jason Rose, Michael Rosenthal and Golf Classic Chairperson Jeffery Schwartz, narrowly edging out the second place foursome, Jeremy Markovitch, Jeremy Mehl, Matthew Fruchter and Sammy Fruchter, and the third place foursome, David Cohen, Andrew Dube, Paul Farrell and Gabriel Berger. The longest drive contest was won by David Mann. Andy Antonio won closest to the pin, while Bob McElroy won closest to the line.
However, thanks to the players’ generosity the real winners are the most vulnerable in our community—the thousands of individuals and families served by OHEL every day.
The day hit an exciting, new high when Sammy Fruchter nailed a hole in one on Hole 11. Sammy’s ace was a first at the OHEL Golf Classic and a perfect way to cap a great tournament.
As the last foursome finished their round, the skies opened up with a heavy downpour. Luckily, it was time for the cocktail hour. After sushi and appetizers, everyone prepared for the night’s program and lavish dinner.
The theme of the evening was “Looking Beyond—Seeing the Beauty of Us All,” which was expressed in the OHEL Bais Ezra Calendars shared on each table, and distributed to the community. The calendars include photos of OHEL individuals taken by world-famous photographer Rick Guidotti. Each month of the calendar features a picture of an OHEL individual with autism and a self-description of the richness of their lives and personality.
The guest speaker, 12-year-old Dovid Orrin, shared with the audience his experiences at Camp Kaylie, as well as OHEL Bais Ezra activities he participates in, such as SibShops, a dynamic program that provides activities to the siblings of those with special needs. Dovid’s sister is featured in the OHEL calendar this year and joins him at SibShops and other Bais Ezra programs.
Special awards were presented to Jason Kanefsky of Havas Media and Stephen Appel of ION Media for their longtime friendship to the children and families of OHEL. ION Media in particular has been a big supporter of the raffle giveaway for many years.
Meanwhile, longtime OHEL golfer, Jason Kanefsky, who is the Raffle Chair, was honored for his dedication to our golf event, in addition to his commitment to raise funds at the annual Hanukkah breakfast at the Young Israel of Woodmere to benefit foster children and children and adults with disabilities.
Special thanks to OHEL’s Golf Classic chairpersons Ben Englander, Israel Kaufman, Jonathan Marks, Jeffrey Schwartz, and Michelle Sulzberger without whom this event would not be possible.
“This is really an important yearly event. I’m proud to be a part of this outing and glad that so many people from different communities join OHEL for a spectacular golf outing on a great course in support of a great cause that is very dear to me and my family,” said Ben Englander.
Since 1969, OHEL has served as a dependable haven of individual and family support, helping
people of all ages surmount disability and everyday challenges, heal from trauma and manage with strength and dignity during times of crises. OHEL serves thousands in need every day in communities in New York, New Jersey, California and worldwide.
Individuals interested in the many programs that OHEL offers should contact OHEL Access at 800-603-OHEL (6435).
