$32K Raised For Veteran Foundation By Long Valley Golf Club

LONG VALLEY, NJ — In Long Valley, golfers are teeing up for a good cause.

This summer, Black Oak Golf Club hosted a charity golf a-thon, in which area golf pros played golf from sunrise to sunset to benefit the Tunnels to Towers Foundation

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which was founded in the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy, carries out its mission to "do good" by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building specially adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders

Tunnel to Towers is likewise dedicated to ending veteran homelessness and ensuring that America never forgets the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

On the Fourth of July, the golf club, the professionals (Bryan Jones and Tim Morris), employees and members all played 303 holes, raising more than $32,000 for the foundation.

Members and staff were able to choose any amount to donate, per hole, per par and per birdie, officials said.

According to Sara Voorhees, a representative for Black Oak, the club has participated in this fundraiser for three years, and this year's turnout was the best yet.

On Thursday, Aug. 24, the team presented the final check to Tunnels to Towers. These donations will be used to help alleviate the housing crisis and assist local veterans and first responders.

"The club is committed to the community and contributes in many ways, including sponsoring local sports teams, making donations for tricky trays, hosting charity golf outings, and supporting our local first responders. This paved the way for our golf-a-thon, and we hope to continue to make it bigger and better," Voorhees said.

Black Oak Golf Club is located at 169 Bartley Road, Long Valley.

The 18-hole golf course at the club runs over 7,000 yards from the championship tees, offering something for everyone. According to the club's website, golfers of all ability levels will enjoy the round because of the wide fairways, greens, and five sets of tees.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation was founded in memory of firefighter Stephen Gerard Siller.

According to the Tunnel to Towers website, "On September 11, 2001, Stephen, who was assigned to Brooklyn’s Squad 1, had just finished his shift and was on his way to play golf with his brothers when he got word over his scanner of a plane hitting the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Upon hearing the news, Stephen called his wife, Sally and asked her to tell his brothers he would catch up with them later. He returned to Squad 1 to get his gear. Stephen drove his truck to the entrance of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, but it had already been closed for security purposes. Determined to carry out his duty, he strapped 60 lbs. of gear to his back, and raced on foot through the tunnel to the Twin Towers, where he gave up his life while saving others," the website states.

"Stephen had everything to live for; a great wife, five wonderful children, a devoted extended family, and friends. Stephen’s life and heroic death serve as a reminder to us all to live life to the fullest and to spend our time here on earth doing good – this is his legacy," according to the Tunnel to Towers website.