Bellevue Country Club members embraced the spirit giving in a big way this holiday season to assist PGA REACH Central New York’s work supporting those in need in our community.
More than 50 Bellevue CC members donated approximately 4,000 pounds of gently used clothing for PGA REACH CNY to give to the Mary Nelson Foundation for families in need.
The clothing drive ran from Oct. 31- Dec. 7 and was spearheaded by Bellevue Head PGA of America Professional Dan Steinsdoerfer.
The amount of clothing donated took up two bag room bays at Bellevue. Joey Tesori, PGA and the Executive Director of PGA REACH CNY; CNY PGA Tournament Director Dylan Plis, PGA Associate; and CNY PGA WORKS Fellow Casey Ware transported the clothing from Bellevue to the Mary Nelson Foundation on Dec. 20.
“We are so fortunate for Dan and his team at Bellevue for their generosity during this holiday season,” Tesori said. “The Bellevue membership supported this initiative and because of that, many local families will benefit.”
The generosity of the Bellevue membership left Steinsdoerfer in awe.
“Their response to this drive, it gave me chills,” he said. “To be able to donate like that and know you are helping people in need, especially during the holiday season, it was quite amazing. You can’t really put it into words to tell you the truth.”
Steinsdoerfer is no stranger to community service. Prior to coming to Bellevue, Steinsdoerfer worked at Monroe Golf Club and held a similar clothing drive to benefit Open Door Mission in Rochester.
“I wanted to bring the same initiative to Bellevue,” Steinsdoerfer said. “If members donated a certain amount of clothing, they received a discount at the golf shop. The generosity of the membership and how they took to it…it was really cool, really special.”
“PGA REACH CNY and the Mary Nelson Foundation give a huge thank you to the leadership at Bellevue and their membership,” Tesori said. “We are so grateful to have the members and staff rally around such a great cause for our local community.”
Bellevue CC has been a staunch supporter of the PGA REACH CNY initiatives. In addition to the clothing drive, Bellevue has hosted the PGA HOPE Pro-Am Tournament for the last two years. Bellevue will be to host to the event in 2025.