Last weekend the Michael Burns Fund sponsored a charity shuffleboard tournament, and this was not a casual undertaking. It was a 32-team, double-elimination tournament held over three days, in four venues, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7963 in Eynon, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 5544 in Jessup, Ambrose Revels American Legion Post No. 328 in Archbald and Duke’s Sports Bar in Peckville. The entry fee was $100.
The Michael Burns Fund was created in December, 2008, shortly after the sudden passing of the fund’s namesake, Michael Burns, who was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at an early age. The organizers almost immediately decided to hold a shuffleboard tournament, because “Michael loved to play the game,” said Jason Daley, president and CEO of the fund. “Our initial idea was that we would have a tournament consisting of mostly Michael’s close friends. It became apparent shortly thereafter that many more people were interested in playing so we decided to make to open the registration to the public. Within one month, we had filled the tournament. From that casual meeting in the back of the Eynon VFW hall, The Michael Burns Fund was created.”
“Michael had such a positive impact on those that knew him,” said Daley. “I think he would be very proud of the work we are doing. It is an honor to continue his legacy by making an impact on others who need our help.”
In addition to the shuffleboard tournament, the fund also holds a golf tournament in July, which last year generated nearly $14,000 in donations. The fund recently presented a $12,000 check to the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Arthritis Foundation, topping last year’s donation of $10,000. The donation is earmarked to benefit Camp JRA, a six-day residential camping experience to benefit children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. Burns was an alumnus of the camp.
According to Tom Conlon, executive vice president of fund, “We use the proceeds from this event to benefit the Michael Burns Memorial Scholarship at Valley View High School.”
The scholarship awards $1,500 to a Valley View graduate attending Penn State University. The scholarship, the largest at Valley View, was created in 2009 and is based on a variety of factors including merit, financial need, community stewardship and volunteerism.
The winners of the tournament were Zach Smith and Kyle Carite.
In addition to the fund’s donations to Camp JRA and the scholarship, “we continually strive to give back to locally, because it is our belief that our community comes first,” Daley said. “Whether it be a local family in need or struggling with illness or a community food drive or a 5K run, our objective is to be there and help.”
Conlon and Daley noted that several area businesses like the Lion Brewery, Toyota Scion of Scranton and Community Bank and Trust have partnered with the Fund to help make their golf tournament a success.
“In today’s economic environment, it becomes increasingly more difficult to find local businesses interested in philanthropy,” Conlon said. “We consider ourselves very lucky to have such great partners.”
Organizations interested in partnering with the fund, or for more infomation about the organization, visit themichaelburnsfund.com.
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