DONATE

Reliant Foundation’s 27th Annual Drive for a Difference Golf Classic and Auction Raises More Than $200,000 to Support Community Grants

by | May 27, 2025 | News

Proceeds Will Fund Critical Mental Health, Behavioral Health,
and Substance Use Recovery Programs

It was another wonderful day on and off the golf course, as Reliant Foundation’s 27th annual Drive for a Difference Golf Classic and Auction took place at Pleasant Valley Country Club on May 19, raising more than  $200,000 in support of its Community Grants program. The proceeds raised will be added to the more than $6.4 million raised through this event since its inception.

“This year’s Drive for a Difference once again demonstrated the unwavering support of our donors, volunteers, and community partners as we work to raise funds for critical mental health and behavioral health-focused programs across the Central and MetroWest regions of Massachusetts,” said Kelsa Zereski, President of Reliant Foundation. “Due in large part to the success of last year’s event, Reliant Foundation was able to provide a record $1 million in Community Grants last fall, and thanks to our supporters, we’re hoping to do it again this fall.”

Following the round, more than 175 guests enjoyed a social reception, dinner, auction, and awards program. The event’s auction offered supporters the opportunity to bid online throughout the day and featured exclusive getaways, exciting concerts, exceptional dining experiences, great sporting events, and more.
Proceeds from Drive for a Difference will allow Reliant Foundation to continue supporting nonprofit organizations in the region that provide programs and services to address mental health and behavioral health (particularly for children and youth), recovery programming for individuals battling substance use, and initiatives aimed at eliminating the stigma associated with these issues.
More than 30 local organizations and individuals provided sponsorship of the event, including lead sponsors: North Bridge Wealth Management (Gold Sponsor); Robert and Jane Klugman (Dinner Sponsor), Gene and Julianne DeFeudis (Lunch Sponsor), The Hanover Insurance Group Foundation (Golf Cart Sponsor), Mass General Brigham Health Plan (Snack Cart Sponsor), J. Michael Grenon, Grimes & Co. (Raffle Sponsor); Anna Maria College, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, FUJIFILM Healthcare Americas Corporation, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Imperial Distributors, F.W. Madigan Company,, NAI Glickman, Kovago & Jacobs, SALMON VNA & Hospice, UMass Memorial Health, UniBank, Worcester State University (Deluxe Foursome Sponsors); Bay State Bank, Coghlin Companies, Cornerstone Bank, Kelleher & Sadowsky, and Stowe & Degon (Scoreboard Sponsors), among others.
Additional information about Drive for a Difference and lending support to Reliant Foundation can be found at ReliantFoundation.org.

About The Reliant Foundation

Established in 1988, Reliant Foundation is an independent public charity whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of individuals of all ages in the Central and MetroWest regions of Massachusetts. As a 501(c)3 charity, the Foundation offers grants to non-profit organizations within its service area for the purpose of supporting programs that battle critical community health issues like substance use disorder, and children’s mental health. Our charity partners work with thousands of individuals in our community to provide life-saving recovery coaching, mental health and behavioral health services, and impactful education and initiatives to reduce the stigma around these issues. For more information, please visit www.reliantfoundation.org. .