On Saturday, June 25th, more than 175 people, including over 20 volunteers will be out in force at Hamlet Golf Course in memory of friend and family member Mike Huhnke. Proceeds from the golf outing will benefit the Visiting Nurse Association’s new VNA Phoenix Center in Valparaiso.
The VNA Phoenix Center provides peer support groups and activities to help children, teens and young adults learn to cope with their grief after the loss of a loved one. The program is offered free of charge and is open to any child grieving a loss. Adults accompanying the children are also provided with the opportunity for group support and networking.
2011 marks the second year for the golf outing, which raised $7,742 last year. All told, family and friends hope to raise a total of $25,000 in support of the VNA Phoenix Center. Their gift allows them to name the kitchen at the Center. Ken Huhnke, one of the golf outing organizers said, “Mike was my cousin and best friend, he was really closer than even a brother. After he died last year, we just felt we needed to do something that helped other people and kept his memory alive. Mike’s sons Brandon and Ryan, and his brother Glenn are all involved in the outing, so it’s a real family affair.”
Ken is grateful to Hamlet Golf Course President Scott Lippens and volunteers for the success of the event. “Mike spent a lot of time out there. The course is beautiful – golfers love it. Scott has really helped organize and get the event off the ground and the volunteers put in long hours to make it happen.”
If you are interested in sponsoring a hole ($50) or would like more information, contact Scott Lippens at (574)867-4000.
Groups interested in sponsoring an event in support of the VNA Phoenix Center should contact the VNA at (219) 531-8078 or email mgalka@vnaportercounty.org. For more information about the children’s bereavement program at the VNA Phoenix Center, contact the VNA at (219) 462-5195.
Photo: The Huhnke Family: Ryan Huhnke, Ken Huhnke, Glenn Huhnke in the back row and Brandon Huhnke, front row, present proceeds from the 1st Annual Mike Huhnke Memorial Golf Outing 2010 to Matthew, Grace and Karen Higbie as VNA Executive Director Laura Harting looks on. The Higbie family is serving as co-chairmen of the VNA’s campaign in support of the VNA Phoenix Center.