suns along the Mohawk

. . . 

–  two buckets-full of golf balls dropping from a helicopter (flown by Bruce Mowery of North Country Heli-flite) toward the special Event pin at Stadium Golf Club in Schenectady NY —

[Note: As always, you can click on a photo for a larger version and scroll over it for a description.]

Yesterday afternoon, the staff of Family & Child Service of Schenectady headed a few miles uptown from their Stockade headquarters to the Stadium Golf Club, for their 5th Annual Golf Ball Drop fundraiser.  A record number of numbered golf balls — nearly all of the 1000 available for “purchase” — had been sold for $10 each and were in buckets ready to be dropped from a helicopter. [Click for our coverage of the 2009 event and the 2011 Golf Ball Drop.]

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– County Legislator Angelo Santabarbara, FCSS Deputy Executive Director Becky Alling, and Bd. Member Jim Lamar just before the R44 helicopter took off –

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The three balls closest to the pin after being dropped from the helicopter over a hole created on the fairway won the three top prizes.

Ball #193, which was the closest to the pin, had been purchased by Andrew Boord, who won the First Top Prize: two Southwest Airline tickets anywhere Southwest flies, plus $2000 cash for traveling money.

Ball #472 won the Second Top Prize of $1000 for FCSS staffer JoAnne Sheldon.

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. . . JoAnne holds her winning ball and finds herself suddenly surrounded by friends, staffers Jessica Bussey and Tricia Ackerly, as she left the Event . . .

The third-closest ball to the pin was #158, which won Brian Reilly the “Taste of Schenectady” Package — dinner, theater and a hotel overnight.

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– FCSS Board President Kathy Johnson helps the Katie and Jim Lamar pick up about 1000 golf balls –

Fennimore Asset Management, Inc./FAM Funds and Pearl Carroll & Associates were the title sponsors of the event.  Radio announcer Ric Mitchell was Celebrity Host and former tv sportscaster William “Rip” Rowan the Honorary Event Chair.  In addition to the actual dropping of golf balls, there was a live auction of a 30-minute scenic helicopter ride, dozens of raffle items, a silent auction, and a buffet dinner.

. . . Rip Rowan (l) & Ric Mitchell . . .

DJ Justin Hart provided musical background for much of the evening.

One highlight of the evening were presentations during dinner by two of Family & Child Service’s clients, Carolyn Hamm and Isaiah Mastroianni.  They both described how FCSS programs helped them live fuller lives, but the audience was on their feet clapping for the courage and determination of each of them.

It was good to see local leaders supporting FCSS:

– Dr. Quintin B. Bullock, Susan Savage and Angelo Santabarbara –

And, it was fun following the adventures of Joey Troncone and his mom, FCSS staffer Pam Troncone — but, rather challenging catching him in a still moment:

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Finally, although Executive Director Bob VanZetta ran off when asked to take a helicopter ride, he was center stage later to thank many of those who helped make the evening and the Event a success, and he was schmoozing and mingling all evening long.

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It sure looked like a good time was had by all at the 5th Annual Family & Child Service of Schenectady Golf Ball Drop.

p.s. Last year, I enjoyed snapping photos of the FCSS staff and Event supporters outdoors after the ball drop and before dinner.  This year, I didn’t have the chance to do so, because of a tight schedule after the ball drop.   As you know, and can see above, my indoor shots tend to be fuzzy and out of focus. That left me with too few good photos of Golf Ball Drop revelers.  Maybe next year I’ll do better, when I expect there will be more Family & Child Service fun at their biggest annual fundraiser, and maybe my indoor photography skills will be greatly improved.