St. Johns Housing Partnership Receives Donation from Vested Metals Annual Charity Golf Outing
ST AUGUSTINE – Vested Metals International, a specialty metals and steels supplier based in St. Augustine, held its second charity golf tournament in honor of their colleague and friend who passed away, John Mark Leach.
The St. Johns Housing Partnership (SJHP) received $8,414 for this year’s event. Robert and Vicki Marshall received the check for SJHP. Vested Metals International raised $70,000 for local nonprofits.
“We sincerely appreciate the donation. Vested Metals has been a strong supporter of our mission to provide safe, clean, affordable housing. Their commitment has also been experienced through their active volunteerism on SJHP projects,” noted SJHP Executive Director Bill Lazar.
The tournament was held in honor of Leach, who passed away in 2022 after a career at Vested Metals and the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind.
Helwig met Eric Lamm, an executive in the steel industry, through Steve Voguit. Voguit was both a former Flagler College professor of Helwig’s and a former high school teacher and golf coach of Lamm’s.
Some 25 years after Lamm’s high school graduation, he reconnected by chance with Voguit at the Slammer & Squire Golf Course. Upon learning Lamm was looking to hire in Florida, Voguit introduced him to Helwig and the rest was history.
“It is important to us that we foster a culture that is passionate about service and economic development beyond our walls,” said Viv Helwig, president and founder of Vested Metals. “Fundraising through a golf tournament is very fitting for our company. If it weren’t for connections made through golf, Vested Metals International wouldn’t be here.”
The tourney brought out 124 golfers to support charities including THE PLAYERS Championship Boys & Girls Club and Flagler College Athletics.
Vested Metals hopes the tournament will advance their goal of raising and donating $1 million to local charities over the next ten years. The tournament took take place at the St. Johns County Golf Club in March.
To donate or volunteer, or more information, contact the St. Johns Housing Partnership at (904) 824-0902 or [email protected].
