This tournament always makes me pause in gratitude for our grassroots, blue-collar origins

To The Editor:

What can you say to a community who helps in so many ways to better the futures of students from a small school who they don’t even know? What can you say to people who give of their time, talent, and fortune to come together and celebrate a young man’s short but influential life?

What can you say to friends, family, strangers, acquaintances, and business owners who so thoughtfully join you in a mission to help a family and a “band of brothers” make some sense from a tragedy?  What can you say to a small, but determined, committee (Kim DePeaux, Cathy Turck, and Don Dennis) who work tirelessly to make an event happen?

Perhaps you just say “thank you” and hope that they understand the depth of meaning behind that statement.  That is my hope for all that in any way, shape, or form helped us to make the Wyatt Spencer Memorial/BKW ’14 Golf Tournament this past Saturday, Oct. 3, such a huge success!

The week started with a scare as Hurricane Joaquin chugged up the coast, and, while the weather was not the absolute best, 108 hearty souls took to the links to make our fifth annual event the best it’s ever been!  Forty-five additional dinner guests, 14 volunteers, and an amazing staff at Colonie Golf and Country Club pulled the rest of the day together in a way that would make one think that it was 70 degrees and sunny! 

This tournament always makes me pause in gratitude for our grassroots, blue-collar origins.  We began this undertaking in 2011 with 40 golfers and 15 extra guests for dinner, and to see how we’ve grown since then is nothing short of awe-inspiring!

It was a poignant day for all of us as three of our four past recipients and their families joined us and we once again remembered Wyatt Spencer and celebrated his exceptional traits, his life, and his growing legacy.  Wyatt’s “band of brothers” came from far and near to volunteer, golf, catch-up with each other, and commemorate a comrade still so dear to them.  It was truly a sight to behold. 

Wyatt’s mom, Bonnie, told me years ago that, to her; to her husband, Jim; and to Wyatt’s family this event has become like the Christmases, birthdays, sports banquets, and celebrations they have missed since Wyatt’s passing.  So to all of you that helped and supported us in any manner, I say with the deepest of sincerity and appreciation, “thank you” for giving the Spencer Family all of that palpable warmth and love, and a beautiful day to cherish and honor their boy.

With a grateful heart,

Kelley R. Hess, chairwoman

 J. Wyatt Spencer Memorial Scholarship Fund   

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