Despite an ominous beginning, the 14th annual Black's Tire and Auto Service Charity Golf Tournament ended on a bright note, with a record $85,934 raised for the Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina Inc.
Black's Tire & Auto Service owners Ricky and Dianne Benton recently hosted close to 125 golfers at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Long Bay Golf Club in Longs, S.C., on Friday, Sept. 5 The golf outing, which began with a downpour, was part of a weekend of celebration and charitable work by the Benton's, their family, co-workers, friends and business associates.
On Saturday following the golf tournament, an open house, vendor fair and several training sessions were held at the corporate headquarters in Whiteville, N.C., in recognition of:
* the company's 85th anniversary and
* the formal opening of the expanded warehouse facility and BTS Academy and Training Center.
The 2014 tournament proceeds raise the amount of cash gifts by Black's Tire & Auto Service to the Homes to $580,225. This figure does not take into consideration the numerous gifts-in-kind donations the company and its friends have given in support of the organization.
"Dianne and I love our children, and it is hard for us to understand how meeting the needs of children cannot be the most important thing for the adults who are responsible for caring for them," said Benton. "We are appalled by the treatment some children have to endure, and thank the Lord we are able to provide support to Boys and Girls Homes in its efforts for the children in its care.
"The children who receive care there have a chance to better themselves. We are proud to lend our support to the efforts of the Homes. What we are doing here today, what you are doing today, is giving a child a chance to become that special being God gave life to."
Boys and Girls Homes has as its mission to provide a comprehensive array of residential and community based services to meet the needs of vulnerable children by addressing their physical, emotional, social, educational and spiritual development. The organization was founded as Boy's Home in 1954 by Whiteville funeral home director A.D. Peacock with the support of a group of trustees comprised mostly of local area businessmen. Among them was Black's Tire owner W. Crowell Black.
When Black decided to put down his tire tools, he sold the Black's Tire business to Ricky and Dianne Benton, a couple he had mentored in the tire and auto service business. The Bentons kept the Black's Tire name out of their respect for him.
"The numbers of children living in poverty and suffering from the ills of abuse and neglect are astounding," said Gary Faircloth, CEO and president of Boys and Girls Homes. "It would be great for children if there was no need for our services, but regrettably that is not the case.
"Having spent several years in the care of Boys Homes ourselves, Dr. Tom Simmons (former resident and Boys and Girls Homes Flemington Academy principal) and I know firsthand what it means for someone to reach out and say, 'You are special and we are here for you.' Ricky and Dianne, their family, co-workers, friends and business associates are truly great friends of the children who come to us for care."
Black's Tire and Auto Service is 30th on the Modern Tire Dealer 100 list. For more information, visit www.blackstire.com.
