COCONUT CREEK, Fla. –Rafe Cochran is a talented and generous 14-year-old, who isn’t shy about his passion for golf or his philanthropic mission. The Fourth Annual Rafe Cochran Golf Classic fundraising tournament was at Banyan Cay Resort & Golf in West Palm Beach on Saturday.
Seventy-two people competed in the Fourth Annual Rafe Cochran Golf Classic at Banyan Cay Resort & Golf in West Palm Beach, Fla., including Rafe's golfing coach Bobby Collins. The charity event raised funds for two new buildings at Iona High School in Tower Isle, St. Mary, Jamaica, through Food For The Poor. (Photo/Downtown Photo)Eighteen foursomes helped Rafe meet his goal for his third school project in Jamaica through Food For The Poor.
“I set goals for myself and I won’t give up until I achieve them, I have a goal to help others in need,” Rafe said.“From the moment I was introduced to Food For The Poor, I knew I had to help others and I am committed to making a difference for as long as I can.”
Thanks to loving support for the annual fundraiser, hundreds of students at Iona High School in Tower Isle, St. Mary, Jamaica, will have two new buildings on campus for the start of the fall semester.
“The school has been a prominent fixture in the Tower Isle community for 70 years, but the campus is in dire need of classroom space,” said Food For The Poor Executive Director Angel Aloma. “Rafe’s commitment to creating better learning spaces for children shows a maturity beyond his 14 years, and we are very grateful to have his support. More importantly, students and staff at Iona High School will be blessed by his compassionate heart.”
Rafe’s mission is taking root in Palm Beach County. Those who attended the golf classic say they want to see it grow.
“I was blown away when I learned about all that Rafe has done and he’s only in the eighth grade!” said Monty ‘Mo’ Foster of the “Mo & Sally Morning Show” 105.5 FM. “This event was well-organized and it’s right up there with the best. I hope to be invited back next year, and the year after that. It’s an amazing tournament and I wish it even greater success in the future.”
Rafe began making a name for himself in the golfing world at the age of 6. When he was 9, he became one of Food For The Poor’s youngest donors, raising money to build 10 homes in Haiti and two schools in Jamaica by the time he was 13. The Palm Beach Day Academy eighth-grader is a serious golfer who competes in tournaments year-round, internationally and nationally.
Eighteen foursomes helped to make a success of the Fourth Annual Rafe Cochran Golf Classic at Banyan Cay Resort & Golf in West Palm Beach, Fla. Thanks to philanthropic efforts of Rafe, 14, golfers of various levels competed in the charity event, helping the teen to reach his fundraising goal for two new buildings at Iona High School in Tower Isle, St. Mary, Jamaica, through Food For The Poor. (Photo/Food For The Poor)
The golf tournament had a variety of raffle items, including personally signed memorabilia by golfing legend Jack Nicklaus, local attractions and travel. Proceeds from raffle sales will be used to benefit the school in Jamaica.
“There are so many people I want to thank, but none of this would be possible without the help of my family, sponsors, Food For The Poor and Banyan Cay Resort for making this is a great event,”Rafe said.
To learn more about Rafe’s Food For The Poor projects visit: www.FoodForThePoor.org/rafe
Corporate Event Sponsors: Bessemer Trust Company, Banyan Cay Resort & Golf, Myers Auto Group, Palm Beach Motors. Individual Major Sponsors:Hubert Phipps, Susan Phipps Cochran, Jay and Diahann Cochran, John and Monika Preston, Team ADHA, The Netkin Family, Abigail Pollak, and Mr. and Mrs. Ron Romeo.
Food For The Poor, one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the nation, does much more than feed millions of the hungry poor primarily in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicine, educational materials, homes, support for orphaned or abandoned children, care for the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance. For more information, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org.
