Holland employee group donates $25,000 after Klonkdike Klassic

SWANSEA — Some $25,000 was raised this year when more than 140 golfers braved cold weather to participate in the Holland Employee Charitable Foundation’s annual winter charity golf tournament, the Klondike Klassic.

The golfers, along with more than 85 sponsors helped the raise the funds for an area charity, the Jared Burke Foundation.

Each year when choosing a beneficiary, the committee looks at smaller deserving charities that may not get much funding outside of their own fund-raisers. The Jared Burke Foundation provides memorable outdoor adventures to individuals who have a disability or major health problem. The JBF also works with local organizations providing hunter safety courses. Much of their work is with the youth and disabled veterans.

At the conclusion of the golf tournament, members of the Holland foundation presented a $25,000 check to John Burke, founder of the Jared Burke Foundation.

“I cannot express the heartfelt thanks I have for Holland Construction for this donation. Unbelievable and humbling. … God bless all involved,” said Burke. He added that the donation will provide at least five full hunting trips.

The Holland Employee Charitable Foundation was established in 2015 with the mission of helping others in the community through donations and volunteering. The HECF is employee-run and driven and, among other initiatives, made the Klondike Klassic an annual event, with funds raised going towards a local organization voted on annually by the seven-member Foundation Advisory Committee. To date the Klondike Klassic has raised more than $180,000 for local charities.

For more information about the Holland Employee Charitable Foundation, visit www.hollandcs.com. For more information about the Jared Burke Foundation, visit jaredburkefoundation.com.

The Holland Employee Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity as a component fund of the St. Louis Community Foundation.