Despite the global coronavirus pandemic dramatically impacting all of our lives, it didn’t stop members of Kensington Golf & Country Club in Naples from continuing their longstanding, generous support of local Veterans’ health and wellness – support that is critical now more than ever.

For the last eight years, Kensington Golf & Country Club has hosted a scramble-format golf tournament with all proceeds from fees and sponsorships supporting the Home Base mission. When their 9^th Annual Home Base Golf and Family Day scheduled for April 4th, which was in full swing with sponsorships and golfer registrations secured, was canceled due to COVID-19, organizers shifted their focus to generating additional event day funds through a virtual raffle. Despite the cancelation, the event raised $103,000, including $13,140 from the successful raffle.

The Kensington community is very special to Home Base. It was after the success of the 2014 Kensington Golf & Family Day, that Home Base had enough funds to launch the Home Base SWFL program. To date, the Kensington community has raised over $1 million for Veterans, Service Members, and Families living in the Southwest Florida community.

Kensington residents aren’t stopping at the golf tournament. In the latest creative endeavor, one resident, Stan Schoenewald, a certified fitness instructor at the YMCA and avid runner, wanted to use his love for running to support Home Base. Thanks to the generosity of John Hancock, Home Base received 20 entries to the Boston Marathon and runs as part of the larger Mass General Marathon Team. Stan was excited to take on this iconic race in April, but alas, COVID-19 hit and the race was postponed.

To date, he has raised over $13,000 for Home Base and isn’t stopping anytime soon now that he’s been given extra time. Now he’s planning to rally members of his community to support his effort to run the virtual race in September by training and running the race through the beautiful streets of his community. Neighbors can see his progress as he trains, donate to the team and cheer for him on race day all from the comfort of their own front porch!

Home Base SWFL couldn’t have reached this year’s milestone, it’ s 6th Year Anniversary, without the residents of Kensington Golf & Country Club and their commitment to the men, women, and families who serve our country and rely on Home Base for health and healing.

Save-the-date for the 10th Annual Home Base Golf and Family Day at Kensington Golf & Country Club on March 20th, 2021.