Memorial Golf Tournament and Dinner & Auction to benefit Wonderland

Wonderland auction

Wonderland Developmental Center is holding two very special fundraising events that share a day and location: Saturday, May 21, 2016. The Golf Club at Echo Falls near Snohomish will host the 17th Annual Justin Van Hollebeke Memorial Golf Tournament during the day and the Wonderland Dinner and Auction at night.

Both events raise money for Wonderland, a Shoreline nonprofit that provides therapeutic services to a monthly average of 200 families and their children with developmental disabilities and delays reflecting a variety of diagnoses, including autism spectrum disorder, Fragile X, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and fetal alcohol syndrome. Wonderland’s services are available to north King County and south Snohomish County families.

“These two events are Wonderland’s signature fundraisers of the year,” said Barbara Murray, Board President and Wonderland founder. “The staff, board of directors, and many generous volunteers work hard every year to make these events great fun for guests. 

"In exchange, we hope to raise over $100,000 to support our very deserving children and families. This year’s theme is ‘Watch us Grow,’ because Wonderland’s caseload has nearly doubled in four years and the agency will announce the new location of its administrative offices.” 

2015 winning golf team

The JVH Memorial Golf Tournament begins at 10am with contests for prizes, leading to a noon shotgun start and hole-in-one contest for $10,000 in prizes. Registration includes 18 holes of golf, cart, practice balls, lunch, and two drink tickets, as well as free beer on the course, a great value at $150. Players of all abilities are welcome and guaranteed to have a great time.

The Wonderland Dinner and Auction begins directly after the golf tournament at 6pm. Golfers and non-golfers alike will dine on prime rib or baked chicken with marsala wine sauce, and Wonderland’s signature Dessert Dash for delicious cakes and treats. This year’s live and silent auctions boast more than 100 items, including multiple Seahawks club seat packages, an Earl Thomas autographed football, and getaways including a Mexican cruise, weekend in Whistler, and a staycation in Seattle. A link to registration can be found here. Other donors include John Howie restaurants, Disneyland, local breweries, and many more.

Tournament namesake Justin Van Hollebeke suffered severe brain damage and began receiving help and family support from Wonderland when he was six months old. Sadly, Justin’s life ended just after his third birthday. The Van Hollebeke family and their friends have honored Justin’s memory and Wonderland’s contribution to the community by holding this golf tournament in Justin’s honor to help other children and their families get the same level of care and support Justin received.

Having fun and helping kids
at the Wonderland Dinner and Auction

Wonderland’s programs have offered developmentally delayed infants and toddlers a bridge to a brighter future for 47 years through an array of therapeutic services offered in the home. Services to developmentally delayed children positively impact health, language and communication, and cognitive development. Parents are able to better meet their child’s special needs from an early age and throughout life. Society benefits from reduced economic burden through a decreased need for special education later in life.

For event or sponsorship details, contact Rosie Cobos at rcobos@wdcbirthtothree.org or 206-364-3777.

Wonderland Developmental Center is a 501(c)3 tax exempt non-profit organization that partners to provides early learning support to children with developmental disabilities and their families as they live, learn, and play. Tax ID #91-0890276.