Supporting the Andrea and Becky Funfest

“There can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

Each year my family plays host to a golf tournament named the Andrea and Becky Funfest. It is in honour of two wonderfully beautiful little girls, our little angels, Andrea and Becky Sparkes. They were my great nieces. These twin darlings died eleven months apart in 2008 in their seventh year after a courageous battle with Batten’s Disease. You can read what I wrote at that time by clicking here and here.

One of the great joys of their short life was a trip to Disneyland which was made possible because of the loving support of the Children’s Wish Foundation. It has been great that in the last few years, Andrea and Becky’s family are able, with the proceeds of the golf tournament, to make a cheque presentation in their name to the Children’s Wish Foundation. Making it more special is the fact that they do this on their birthday – August 24^th. Last year, that cheque was for $37 000. Since this golf tournament started they have raised nearly $60 000. This is a tremendous feat for a 9 hole tournament of less than 100 people. This year’s Andrea and Becky Funfest is taking place on August 18^th in beautiful Whiteway in the holy land of Newfoundland. It has been hosted at this lovely course since it began. The participants actually raise sponsors to golf – and it works.

It had been our hope that we would be there for it this year to offer our support. I received a sponsor sheet from Children’s wish in the mail and was getting excited to be getting home for this important event. But it is not to be this year. For various reasons, it has not worked out that we can attend. To say that we are disappointed is a gross understatement. The trip would have allowed not just the opportunity to celebrate Andrea and Becky and do some good for as great charity, but would have also allowed valuable time with family who we miss dearly – most especially my mother. The deep love that Martin Luther King referenced, in speaking of disappointment, is the force that makes this so saddening. That deep love is also the force that makes it ok to be realistic and say, “It may have to be next time.”

I am so proud of my nephew Gary, his Wife Annette and their daughter Leah who play host to this tournament with the support of our extended family. Some of my readers has mentioned sponsoring me – well, I still have that sponsor sheet and would love to fill it in and send along the support of the CFAs (Come From Aways). I know I will be making my pledge. So if you would like to sponsor me ‘not to go’ on this golf outing please send me a comment on here or email me at canonkevingeorge@gmail.com and I will get your information on the sponsor sheet. (Tax receipts are issued for donations of $10 and over). Perhaps I will golf that day in honour of the girls and in celebration of the good work that their family is doing to make a difference in the lives of so many children.