Suffolk News-Herald

Every day when John F. Kennedy Middle School students take advantage of the computer graphics lab, the Suffolk Education Foundation has something to be proud of.

This initiative, along with more than 21 innovative programs throughout the school division are beneficiaries of the non-profit organization’s generosity. An independent entity that works in concert with the school system, the Suffolk Education Foundation is &uot;one of the largest contributors to education in Suffolk,&uot; said Tim Copeland, executive director of the Suffolk Education Foundation.

&uot;We receive tremendous in-kind support from the school system,&uot; he added.

For the past several weeks, Copeland has been preparing for the foundation’s largest fundraiser: the 7th annual Benefit Golf Tournament, which takes place on Thursday, Oct. 21 beginning at 10:30 a.m. This event, in part, has allowed the organization to fund more than $126,000 in college scholarships and close to $73,000 in teacher mini-grants.

Copeland said the foundation particularly thrives off of supporting programs that emphasize Accelerated Reading (AR) and SOL (Standards of Learning).

&uot;We look at the needs (of the school system) and move on to different things,&uot; said Copeland.

The format for the golf tournament will be four-person Florida Best Ball and post-flighted. Awards are made to the two top teams in each of the three flights. Hole-in-one, closest to the pin and long drive prizes will also be awarded. Boxed lunches will be served, with a buffet dinner following the tournament.

Registration is $75 per player and includes the cart, green fees, snacks, drinks, lunch, dinner and gift bag. The entry deadline is Oct. 11.

Proceeds benefit the foundation’s goal of

&uot;Supporting everyone’s future through our schools.&uot; Sponsors of this year’s tournament are Electronic Systems, title; Physical Therapy Works, Accuflex Services and BB&T. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available.

The Suffolk Education Foundation also co-sponsors the annual Teacher of the Year banquet. Now, Copeland has started preparing head up the State of the Schools breakfast later this year, which in prior years came under the umbrella of the local Chamber of Commerce.

For more information about the golf tournament, call Copeland at (757) 539-1265 or email timcopeland@verizon.net