13Forever donates more than $18,000 to St. Jude from golf outing

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — On Oct. 7, 144 golfers took to the greens at Bello Woods Golf Course in Macomb Township for the third annual Team JBird Golf Outing to support St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Before the golfing began, nonprofit 13Forever, which organized the outing, presented a $13,000 check to St. Jude to help fund research. The donation was made possible by the 144 golfers and local businesses.

13Forever then added another $5,000 that was made during the outing to the $13,000 for a total of $18,000. The final total was more than $18,800.

With help and encouragement from friends, Shelby Township residents Roy and Carol Townsend started 13Forever in 2022. The name comes from their 13-year-old son, Justin, who was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme — brain cancer — and died Aug. 7, 2014. Justin was treated at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

13Forever’s mission is to fund cancer research and help local organizations that play a role in the fight against pediatric cancer.

One way the Townsends honor the memory of their son is by having an annual golf outing. The Team JBird Golf Outing Classic gives all proceeds from the outing to support children, families and research at St. Jude.

Roy Townsend is the director of 13Forever and said he can’t say enough how humbled he is by the outpouring of support 13Forever’s events receive from the community.

“Every year, families, friends, coworkers and strangers do what is necessary to make the Team JBird Golf Outing a huge success. My wife and I are very grateful for the continued community support,” Roy Townsend said in an email.

Janet Schrade, owner of Bello Woods Golf Course, said she enjoys helping with great events.

“I look forward to the Team JBird Outing every year. When I hear Roy and Carol talk about their experience at St. Jude, I know what we are doing here will help kids and families down the road at St. Jude,” Schrade said via email.

Dennis Vennard, a golf outing committee member, remembered that during the first year there were concerns they wouldn’t be able to sell out the event or find sponsors.

“I worried for nothing, the outing sold out and we secured sponsorships from local business in three weeks. The first time was our largest fundraiser to date,” he said in an email.

Kris Vennard, committee chairman, said the more golf outings 13Forever has, the easier it is to get people involved.

“At the end of this year’s outing, people were asking when and where do they sign up for next year. St. Jude and 13Forever is such a great cause and JBird was one special little dude,” Kris Vennard said in an email.

This year’s golf outing total of more than $18,800 brought 13Forever’s 2023 fundraising total for St. Jude to $20,280.

Next year, 13Forever plans to hold an outing on the first Saturday in October. For more information about the nonprofit, visit 13Forever.org.