OAKVILLE, ON — There was lots of money raised, and plenty of fun on the links, at the 2024 YellowBird Charity Golf Classic.
With a few clouds in the sky – but thankfully, no rain – this was the YellowBird Foundation’s 24th year hosting its charity golf tournament at Glen Abbey Golf Club.
The big event took place this past Friday, May 17, and partners from top airlines and tour operators (including title sponsors Air Canada and ACV), hotels and resorts, tourism boards and more came out to help raise money and have a good time on the green.
Event organizer Reps4Rent worked with Travelweek to manage event activities including the golf tournament, sponsorships, raffles, lunch, the silent auction, and much more to create an enjoyable day.
Monies raised go towards the continued support of those suffering in Ukraine as well as those fighting poverty in tourist destinations with lower living standards than enjoyed in Canada.
The YellowBird Foundation’s Silent Auction, always a success thanks to the generosity of Canada’s travel industry, included everything from Toronto Raptors tickets to high-end hotel getaways.
At Friday’s lunch, Travelweek’s Publisher, Devin Kinasz, said The YellowBird Foundation has raised close to $1 million over the years. The foundation has completed many great projects, said Kinasz, primarily in the Caribbean refurbishing schools, developing math or agriculture programs for schools, adding solar panels to reduce the burden of utility costs, rebuilding schools after hurricanes, and much more.
“Last year we turned our focus to Ukraine because of the major devastation it was having on that country, and the terrible impact it was having on newly orphaned children,” said Kinasz. “We have been supporting a church foundation in Ukraine that takes in these orphans, and again we have had an educational focus, helping the kids continue on with their educations, despite the ongoing war.”
A video highlighted the story of Nastya, one of the children who received assistance from The YellowBird Foundation.
Kinasz added that The YellowBird Foundation will continue to support Ukraine and at the same time return to its roots to help with a new project in Jamaica, the Pineapple Place Basic School. Located in Ocho Rios, the school is desperately in need of repair. “I know many people in this room make their living off sending Canadians to places like Jamaica, and the Canadians certainly aren’t staying in hotels with leaky roofs, so we at YellowBird feel it is our duty to give back to these communities that help make our tourism industry tick,” said Kinasz.
YELLOWBIRD CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC WINNERS
In addition to a great day on the links, there was a sit-down lunch. Just about 100 golfers took part in Friday’s tournament, plus more who joined the group for lunch.
Here’s the list of winners …
Winning Team
Adam Gueran
Cole Gueran
Fabrice Blanc
Howard Byrne
Most Honest Team
Shawn Friesen
Denise Harper
Monique Lalonde
Hilary Brown
Men’s Closest to the Pin – sponsored by the Toronto Star
Kevin Irons
Ladies Closest to the Pin – Sponsored by the Toronto Star
Lily Carlson
Men’s Longest Drive – Sponsored by Canada Jetlines
David Lafayette
Ladies Longest Drive – Sponsored by Canada Jetlines
Sonia McKeon
Plus, five raffle prizes were won, and in a show of great generosity, the 50/50 winner, Mike Quinto from Exoticca, donated his prize money back to the YellowBird Foundation.
