Joe Keslo golf outing fares well

Lafayette — Staring down the threat of inclement weather, as well as an unusually harsh economic climate, the 27th annual Joe Keslo Charity Golf Outing, sponsored by SussexBank, went off without a hitch recently at the Farmstead Golf and Country Club in Lafayette. “To have over 160 golfers participate, in spite of the challenging economic times and an uncharacteristically chilly spring day, was nothing short of heart-warming,” says Terry Thompson, SussexBank president and COO, and co-chairman of the golf outing. “Over the many years the bank has sponsored this outing, we’ve raised well over half a million dollars for local charities. For that we are extremely proud, and are grateful to our many supporters.” With 100 percent of the proceeds remaining within Sussex County, the numerous beneficiaries of the event include the American Cancer Society, the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, the Sussex Area Charities, Inc. and the United Way of Sussex County. In addition, the event provides funding for St. Clare’s Hospital in Sussex Borough, for Project Self Sufficiency and channels scholarships to every Sussex County high school as well as Sussex County Community College. Donald Kovach, chairman/CEO of SussexBank, said at the awards dinner, “We are overwhelmed with the generous outpouring of support we have received — not only this year, but throughout the years — for this wonderful charitable event. SussexBank is grateful to all of those who participated today and to those organizations and individuals who have made this outing a very worthy Sussex County tradition for 27 years running.” After years of Joe Keslo’s selfless devotion to the annual fund-raising event, it was eventually named after the Franklin native, a local businessman and former Sussex County Freeholder. As always, Kelso and his wife Cathy participated in this year’s outing, which has been held at the Farmstead Club every year since its inception. It was Keslo, co-chairman of this year’s event, who convinced SussexBank to sponsor the outing in its second year, and the bank’s sponsorship has continued without interruption for the past 26 years.