On Friday, May 30, 2025, nearly one hundred golfers, sponsors and members of the community teed off at Indian River Country Club to support Catholic Charities’ Samaritan Center, a twenty-hour safe haven for area homeless families. Coming up big was Vero Beach resident Betty Nielsen who participated in the tournament’s golf ball launcher competition. Of all the golfers, Ms. Nielsen, who is 90 years young, fired the golf ball launcher like a rocket, and landed her ball closest to the hole! She won a free round of golf at one of the area’s most prestigious clubs and golf balls. Pictured below is Ms. Nielsen as she prepares to launch her ball. She is guided by Dave (Bogey) Parr, Samaritan Center Advisory Committee member and this year’s tournament chairperson.
This year’s sponsors included Bernard A. Egan Foundation, Publix Supermarket Charities, the Knights of Columbus of Holy Cross Church, Schlitt Services and George E. Warren LLC., etc. The Samaritan Center provides shelter, living essentials and educational programs to help families achieve independence and housing stability. The support of golf tournament sponsors, participants and volunteers help feed families and ensure they have a safe place to live as they transition to a life of hope and independence. All sponsorships were generously matched dollar for dollar by the Bernard A. Egan Foundation…