Key Takeaways:
- Participants ranged from patient families to caregivers to community organizations, embodying the spirit of Southern Nevada’s support for childhood cancer care
- For the first time, Cure 4 The Kids is sharing founder Annette Logan-Parker’s signature Bloody Mary recipe, a tournament tradition since day one
- The 2025 tournament brought together existing supporters and new partners in challenging philanthropic times, proving community strength
- Volunteers and staff created personal connections with every golfer, reflecting C4K’s culture of care beyond the clinic
- The tournament demonstrated Southern Nevada’s unwavering support for children battling cancer and rare diseases
Reflections from Golf 4 The Kids 2025
The sun was barely peeking over the fairways at Red Rock Country Club when I arrived at 6:00 AM on October 27th, arms loaded with Bloody Mary mix, vodka, and a handwritten note from Annette that simply read: “Keep the pour light, the mix cold, and the love heavy-handed.”
For the first time in the history of Golf 4 The Kids, I was taking over the signature Bloody Mary tent!
A Made-With-Love Morning Cocktail
If you’ve attended our Halloween Golf Tournament before, you know that Annette’s Bloody Mary tent isn’t just a refreshment stop—it’s where the day truly begins. Positioned right where golfers collect their carts, it’s become the heart of the tournament, a place where our founder personally greets every participant, thanks them for being there, and sends them off with something made with care.
The tradition started with the very first Golf 4 The Kids tournament. Back then, Annette was cooking breakfast burritos at staff meetings, arriving early to prepare meals in the clinic kitchen when our team was half its current size. Her hands-on approach to hospitality has always defined who we are as an organization. The Bloody Mary tent is an extension of that same spirit—a reminder that at Cure 4 The Kids Foundation, we put our whole hearts into everything we do.
A Day of Sunshine, Laughter, and Purpose
By the time our golfers started arriving, the course was alive with possibility. We had 21 incredible sponsors supporting the day, including 1Care Kids in their second year as presenting sponsor—a partnership we’re deeply grateful for. Nine new sponsors joined the C4K family this year, from caregivers and patient families to community organizations and heroes like the Clark County Firefighters: Local 1908. Several have already committed to making this an annual tradition.
The tournament itself was everything we’d hoped for: beautiful fall weather, activities at 16 of the 18 holes—everything from pirate-themed rum tastings to whiskey samplings and games—and volunteers who brought so much heart to the course. Many of our volunteers were C4K staff members who traded their clinic shifts for the day, and the feedback from golfers was overwhelming. They were genuinely moved by the passion and knowledge our team brought to every interaction.
The costume contest brought Halloween flair to the fairways, with our grand prize winner earning his title by golfing the entire tournament dressed as a piñata. Two lucky golfers earned shots at the $1 million and $100,000 prizes, and while neither made the 135-yard hole-in-one, everyone had fun and excitement was flying high!
But what made this year special wasn’t captured in any single moment. It was the laughter over Bloody Marys at sunrise. The parents of patients who participated, transforming their personal journeys into advocacy. The engaged conversations between Christine, our CEO, and community members who wanted to understand our mission more deeply. The way complete strangers became part of the C4K family on the golf course.
Annette’s Bloody Mary Recipe Revealed
For years, golfers have asked Annette for her Bloody Mary recipe. And for years, she’s smiled and kept it close. But traditions grow stronger when they’re shared, when they can be recreated in homes and gatherings beyond the golf course.
This year, with Annette off-site for the first time, she shared her closely-guarded recipe and trusted me to carry on the tradition. Even better, now she’s making the recipe public for the first time!
Download the recipe card and bring a little extra love from Cure 4 The Kids Foundation into your kitchen. Whether you’re hosting friends or planning your own fundraising event, this recipe carries the spirit of everything we do at C4K—made from scratch, made with care, and made for connection.
Note from Annette: This is a small-batch version of our event favorite! Rich, garden-fresh, and made with love.
Passing the Torch
Taking over the Bloody Mary tent this year meant more to me than mastering measurements and garnish placement. It represented something central to C4K’s culture: the deliberate passing of traditions, the mentoring of new leaders, and the assurance of continuity in everything we do.
That same principle guides us in the clinic every day. When Christine Tonn stepped into the CEO role, bringing her extensive background in nonprofit healthcare finance and her commitment to continuous improvement, she ensured that C4K’s mission would continue to thrive. Strong leadership is at its best when it preserves the heart of an organization while building capacity for the future.
At Cure 4 The Kids Foundation, we always invest in the next generation. We document. We train. We pass along not just the “what” but the “why” because traditions matter. Culture matters. And the kids we serve deserve an organization full of heart that’s built to last.
Here’s to Next Year!
As the event wrapped up, I thought about all the golfers who’d stopped by that morning. Some were longtime supporters who hugged me and said, “Annette would be proud.” Others were first-time participants who told me they’d be back next year, and the year after that.
The funds raised at Golf 4 The Kids are vital to advancing cures and treatment for kids with cancer and rare diseases, and on behalf of Cure 4 The Kids Foundation, I want to extend my thanks and gratitude. It’s so beautiful to see the community that forms when people gather around a shared purpose.
Thank you to every golfer, sponsor, and volunteer who made this year’s tournament unforgettable. Thank you to the Cure 4 The Kids team for getting the word out and securing so many wonderful sponsors. Thank you for showing up and for caring deeply about Nevada’s children who are fighting the toughest battles of their lives.
And thank you, Annette, for trusting me (and all of us!) with your recipe!
Here’s to good friends, great golf, and lasting traditions! Cheers to another amazing year, and to many more to come.
About the Author: Amber Williams serves as Director of Communications at Cure 4 The Kids Foundation, where she has spent over 8 years building connections between the organization and the Southern Nevada community. She is passionate about ensuring every family knows they have a place to turn when their child needs specialized care.
