May 22 event in memory of David Swain

Junior Achievement of Southwest Virginia’s 19th annual Par for the Kids golf tournament will be held May 22 at Roanoke Country Club.

This year’s event is in memory of David Swain, a banker who served as a board member of Junior Achievement of Southwest Virginia and volunteered in classrooms to teach children about economics and personal finance.

This year’s goal is 25 teams. Lunch for golfers begins at 11:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. This year’s format is captain’s choice, and the contests on the course are longest drive, closest to the pin and hole in one. The prize for the hole in one is a car from Brambleton Imports.

Team registration is $800 with hole sign sponsorships available for $200.   Proceeds from the tournament provide classroom kits that will empower young people in grades K-12 to own their economic success.

Over the past 16 years the JA golf tournament has been held all over the Roanoke Valley and on Smith Mountain Lake. One constant was Swain, who died in November 2011 at the age of 49.   Swain always put his family first and his service to the community was heartfelt.

“From the first time he signed on to be a JA classroom volunteer in 1994 until he taught his last JA class at Andrew Lewis in October 2011, David found the middle school students bright and attentive to the JA curriculum,” said Katherin Elam, president of JA of Southwest Virginia. “He enjoyed the dialogue about careers and budgets and how these were the base for creating realistic goals post high school.”

One of Swain’s other passions was serving on the golf tournament committee.

“David’s energies were always apparent even on the day of the tournament as he greeted players,” Elam said. “His great smile and easy demeanor will be missed at this year’s event.  With his family’s blessings JA wants to memorialize our great friend and hope his spirit of teaching young people how business works will encourage others.”

To register or donate auction items, please call 540-989-6392 or e-mail Betsy@ja.roacoxmail.com.

Submitted by Thomas Becher, the becher agency.