Bit-Wizards, an innovative technology company providing real world business solutions for a diverse range of industries
, was a proud silver sponsor and team participant of the 7th Annual Yolanda D. Thomas Scholarship Endowment Inc. Celebrity Golf Tournament. The tournament was held on Friday, May 21, 2010 at the Fort Walton Beach Golf Club in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
Bit-Wizards CEO and Senior Software Engineer, Vincent Mayfield, Vice President of Software Engineering, Kevin Grohoske, and Senior Software Engineer, Bryan Soltis, teed up for what was a very eventful day playing with former defensive back for the Indianapolis Colts, Freddie Robinson. Freddie got his start here in the south playing during the 25 year tenure of Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant for the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide. He has long since hung up his cleats and helmet for a career in engineering with AT&T, serving as their Director of Transport Engineering. Vince, Kevin, and Bryan had the pleasure of meeting of his Freddie’s lovely wife, Brenda, as well as his two daughters. Freddie, however, had an unfortuante encounter with a thief... a flying, feathered friend on the golf course stole his snacks directly out of his golf cart.
After golf, everyone enjoyed a catered dinner by The Shack, while bidding on a wide variety of sports memorabilia donated for the silent auction. Kevin and Vince both won raffle prizes, and Vince walked away with a silent auction win - a football signed by the entire 2009 Pittsburg Steelers Championship Team, which he presented to Bryan for continued efforts and hard work at Bit-Wizards (not on the golf course).
The Yolanda Thomas Scholarship Endowment was been established through the Northwest Florida State College Foundation to assist an Okaloosa or Walton County student attending Northwest Florida State College on a full-time basis. The combined merit and need-based scholarship will be used to provide an annual tuition, books and fees award. The recipient must show a high degree of motivation in pursuit of his/her education and participate in community service as a volunteer. First preference will be given to an economically-disadvantaged female.
As of December 2009, the Yolanda D. Thomas golf tournament and associated events have generated approximately $350,000 to provide scholarship opportunities for students residing in Okaloosa and Walton Counties. Additionally, as of December 2009, 22 scholarships had been awarded to deserving young women courtesy of the Yolanda D. Thomas Scholarship Endowment. The Endowment is now one of the largest contributing entities to the Northwest Florida State College Foundation scholarship program. Additionally, in 2007, the Internal Revenue Service officially recognized the Yolanda D. Thomas Scholarship Endowment as a 501 (c) (3) Public Charity.
For more information or to donate to this great cause, please contact the Yolanda D. Thomas Scholarship Endowment Fund at:
YDT Scholarship Endowment
745 Hollywood Blvd Northwest
Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32548
Phone: 850-244-0811 ext 216
Email:
ydt@thomcoent.com