The Seton Fund

The temperature was the only thing shooting over 100 last weekend during the 8th Annual Emory Bellard-Spike Dykes Kids Care-a-Van Golf Classic and Tailgate Party. Despite record-setting heat, the two-day event was a huge success, raising an estimated $200,000 for the mobile health unit operated by Seton Highland Lakes Hospital.

More than 680 people came out to Galloway Hammond Recreation Center in Burnet for the Friday night Tailgate Party, which was followed by Saturday’s golf tournament that featured 244 golfers from across the state.

"I am always amazed by the incredible generosity of our Highland Lakes community in support the Seton Kids Care-A-Van program," said Becky Fox, director of development at Seton Highland Lakes Hospital. "Even with the challenging economy, we had overwhelming sponsors, outstanding silent and live auction donations and bidders, and incredible attendance at the Tailgate Party and the golf tournament. We are so grateful to our volunteers for their hard work and dedication."

Coordinated by the Highland Lakes Associates of the Seton Development Board, this highly popular event has raised more than $1.4 million over the past eight years for the Children’s Healthcare Endowment at Seton Highland Lakes, which funds the Seton Care-a-Van health care program. The specially equipped mobile recreational vehicle features exam rooms and an immunization area, and provides health care services to more than 2,000 underserved and uninsured children in the Highland Lakes area. The unit’s health care team travels to schools in different communities each weekday throughout the year. Stops include Kingsland, Granite Shoals, Marble Falls, Bertram and Burnet.

This year’s Kids Care-A-Van Golf classic was held in memory of legendary Southwest Conference football coach Emory Bellard of Texas A&M, who co-founded the event with Spike Dykes of Texas Tech. Mr. Bellard passed away earlier this year. The Seton Development Board and Coach Dykes decided to keep the name of the event to honor Coach Bellard’s commitment to the Care-A-Van program and continue his legacy. Coach Dykes is pictured here with Coach Bellard's wife, Susan.

"It was an honor to be on Coach Bellard’s team dedicated to helping children in our community," Becky added. "Seton Highland Lakes will forever be grateful for his commitment and generosity. He was a great and humble man, and was deeply missed at the golf classic this year. His legacy will live on through the work of the Seton Kids Care-a-Van program."

Other legendary Texas coaches in attendance throughout the weekend included Darrell Royal and Jody Conradt of The University of Texas, and R.C. Slocum and Jackie Sherrill of Texas A&M. The coaches attended the Tailgate Party on Friday and teamed up with area golfers on Saturday. Pictured here are (from left) Coaches Royal, Dykes and Slocum.

"Providing world-class care for the children of the Highland Lakes communities honors the spirit of our founders, and is an important part of our ministry," stated Arie Dejong, administrator and COO of Seton Highland Lakes Hospital and Clinics, and vice president of the Seton Healthcare Family. "This weekend's fundraisers for the Kids Care-a-Van would not be possible without the dedicated work of our volunteers and team members. Special thanks go to the coaches, their families and all of the contributors who generously and graciously support access to health care for the kids of Highland Lakes."