To the Editor:

Last month Princeton-Blairstown Center (PBC) held its first annual Links to Youth Golf Outing at Fox Hollow Golf Club in Branchburg, N.J. The event raised more than $20,000 for PBC, and more specifically our Summer Bridge Program, which addresses the “summer learning gap” for at-risk youth.

More than 40 golfers participated in the event with several others joining for dinner and cocktails. The winning foursome included Mike Dawson, from New Brunswick; Varnell Johnson, from East Brunswick; Antoine Johnson, from New Brunswick; and Derek Simpkins, from Ringoes. Our longest drive winner was Scott Stogner, from Westfield and the closest to the pin competition winner was Al Gomez from Somerset.

PBC seeks to transform the lives of vulnerable young people through integrated experiential and adventure-based programming in schools and at our outdoor campus. We collaborate with schools, university partners, and community-based agencies to develop in youth, a deepened self-awareness, responsible decision-making, teamwork, and leadership skills. Our volunteers strive for a future in which young people exhibit personal resilience and compassion, embrace expanded possibilities for their lives, and enact positive change within their communities and the world.

We received all positive feedback from the day of the event. It was great to have so many generous new people come out in support of the work we do for vulnerable youth.

Thanks to our sponsors: Agricola Eatery; Christina Bailey; Brother’s Pizza; Brown & Brown/Sobel Affiliates; Susan Danielson; Dick’s Sporting Goods; Tim Downs; ESPN; Fox Hollow Golf Club; Gennett, Kallman, Antin & Robinson; Irish American Trading Company; McCarter Theatre; Metro North; Bruce Petersen; Pinneo Construction; Princeton Corkscrew; Princeton University Dining Services; Don Seitz; Trenton Country Club; Trenton Thunder; Triumph Brewing Co.; and Chris Van Buren.

Also thanks to PBC’s Board Chair, Sarah Tantillo and Board Treasurer, Tim Downs, who were our golf co-chairs, and Meredith Murray, director of development, for all their hard work and leadership surrounding the very successful event.

Pam Gregory

President and CEO