MAMA’S HOUSE MINISTRIES HITS A “HOLE IN ONE” WITH ITS 2nd ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC & DINNER SHOW

By Madeline Zuckerman

It was truly a party with a purpose when Mama’s House Ministries hosted its highly-anticipated 2^nd Annual Charity Golf Classic & Dinner Show at Indian Wells Country Club.  There was certainly something for everyone who participated in a fun day of golf on the renowned Classic Course, and then returned to experience the not-to-be-missed Dinner Show, featuring OH WHAT A NIGHT! a musical tribute to Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.  This winning event combination was the brainchild of three visionary Co-chairs, including Dr. Vincent Nola, Founding Board Member of Mama’s House, Jeroen Sparreboom, and Yin Tchen.

“Mama’s House has always dreamed of hosting its own Annual Charity Golf Classic” said Jan Lupia, Founder & Executive Director of Mama’s House.  “We are thrilled with this new signature event, which raised over $140,000 for the Mama’s House mission, and also supported our organization’s Expansion Campaign to build and operate the new Anne Silverstein Campus for Mama’s House.  On behalf of our residents, Board of Directors, staff and volunteers, I am most grateful for the outpouring of support from so many. I want to thank everyone for giving of their time, in-kind and financial donations, to further the good work of Mama’s House Ministries that sees lives changed and on track toward a brighter future.”

Celebrating its 10^th Anniversary milestone, Mama’s House Ministries offers a safe, supportive, loving, and nurturing residential environment for women in crises, while pregnant and/or with an infant or small child, who are vulnerable with no place to go and no means of support. Mama’s House offers an extensive one-of-a-kind program of Hope.  Due to the unwavering support for the organization over the past several years, a second residential property has been purchased, with construction presently underway to build a new safe and secure campus, which will encompass five new Casitas and the expansion and renovation of an existing house. This new campus has been named in honor of long time Mama’s House supporter Anne Thompson-Silverstein.

“With the success of the inaugural event last year, we strongly felt we would garner even more support and attendance, which was accomplished this year,” said Co-chair Jeroen Sparreboom. “Each child saved by Mama’s House is a part of the future of our beloved country.”

Added Co-chair Yin Tchen, “We want to thank everyone who came out to support this annual event.  We are still overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and generosity for the Mama’s House mission.

The Friday evening soiree, attended by close to 200 guests, commenced with an elegant cocktail reception, followed by a scrumptious Italian-themed dinner.  This year’s fun and highly-electrifying Dinner Show featured Oh What A Night! a musical tribute to Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.  Conceived and directed by award-winning Broadway Producer/Director Michael Chapman, and written by Motown Producer & Creative Consultant, George Solomon, this blockbuster musical performance featured many hits from the dynamic songbook of those boys from Jersey including Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Walk Like A Man, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, My Eyes Adored You, Working My Way Back To You, Let’s Hang On, and Who Loves You. Oh What A Night! featured all the original hits, as well as many top 10 releases.  This included Frankie Valli’s biggest solo hit from the movie Grease!  In 1990, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

A field of 83 golfers played in the tournament on the renowned Classic Course.  Taking home honors for the ladies in first, second and third place were Yin Chen, Karen Isaacs, and Sharon Peterson.  Taking home honors for the men in first, second, and third place were Jeroen Sparreboom, Joe Garcia, and Pierce Hollan.

“We all worked hard to make this event an outstanding success,” said Co-chair Dr. Vincent Nola.  “I am certain that our goal of most memorable event was accomplished through a lot of hard work and determination.  We have set a precedence for golfers who played in the tournament and for guests who attended the Dinner Show.”

Major event sponsors included IFS Inforsure International, Wexler Insurance, Agency, Inc., DavidSW, JR Thomas Golf Carts, La Quinta Cadillac, Ben Bridge Jewelers, J.L. Endicott, Inc., Allen & Cindy Sabbag, John & Dori Anderson, Anne Silverstein, Bill & Lynn Poland, Schraft’s 2.0, and the John & Elizabeth Endicott Foundation.

This year’s Media Sponsors included Presenting Sponsor THE DESERT SUN & LOCALiQ, KESQ News Channel 3, and Alpha Media – Palm Springs.

Seen in the crowd of golfers and dinner guests were Dr. Vincent & Joyce Nola, Jeroen Sparreboom, Yin Chen, Art & Jan Lupia, Patricia & Jack McDonnell, Mary & Bob Siles, Bill & Lynn Poland, Maurae & Ryan Quigley, Desiree & Jared Portolesi, Frank DiSalvo, Addy Walker, Chuck & Jan Emanuele, Sandy & Floyd Rhoades, Suzy & Marc Homme, Butch & Judy Seal, JR Thomas, Brian & Julie Orr, Gerri & Walter Clark, Heather Partida Meaney, Angela Allen, Al & Gloria Infusino, Andy & Angelica Ford, and Ken & Nancy Camarella.

For more information on Mama’s House Ministries, its current Expansion Campaign, or to schedule a tour, please visit www.themamashouse.org or call  844-232-8622.  Mama’s House Ministries is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization supported largely by donations, grants, and fundraising events.

PHOTOS BY LORETTA VLACH