MHA to Present 23rd Wellness Classic Golf Tournament on Sept. 17

SPRINGFIELD — On Friday, Sept. 17, MHA will hold its Wellness Classic golf benefit at Wilbraham Country Club for what will be the 23th year.

“This year by far is the most successful golf tournament in MHA’s history. We raised over $100,000, and Real Living Realty Professionals as the title sponsor is a very real part of that,” said Kimberley Lee, MHA’s vice president of Resource Development and Branding. “As a first-time corporate donor, Real Living Realty Professionals did not make just one donation, but two significant expressions of their belief in the value of MHA’s work. Community support like this greatly enhances MHA’s ability to directly serve the individuals in our care, helping them to achieve their individuals goals.”

Owner and broker Robert Molta agreed in the spring that Real Living Realty would be the title sponsor.

“We love to partner with people in our community as the largest locally owned real-estate company in Western Massachusetts,” Molta said. “Giving back is something we do, and we do it with great pride. We are both pleased and honored to be the title sponsor of the Wellness Classic.”

He praised MHA’s work, particularly in addressing the growing need for mental-health services. “If we can help one person, we are helping, but hopefully our financial support of the golf benefit will help with the daily activities that MHA puts forth with people to really make a difference.”

Molta’s words were reflected by other Real Life Realty Professionals.

“As a company, we have seen firsthand the great work that MHA has been doing in our communities over the years, and we wanted to do what we could to help,” said Lou Mayo, the company’s director of Technology. “MHA provides many different services in the area in helping people impacted by mental illness, substance use, developmental disabilities, and homelessness. These services are desperately needed, and MHA is able to provide valuable support to the people who might not have been supported otherwise.”

Real Living Realty realtors Anthony Ardolino as well as Chester and Amal Ardolino, who are married, organized a related fundraiser at the club in June. It was hearing the stories of those served by MHA that prompted their additional effort.

“It was a pleasure to organize,” Amal Ardolino said. “You don’t always hear about all of the things people with mental-health illness and homelessness deal with and that MHA addresses. This includes providing those they help with basic essentials we are blessed to have every day, like clothes. It is heartbreaking.”

She noted that “everyone came — family, friends, co-workers — to donate and help out.

“Making people aware that mental health is important is always good, but especially now with COVID taking such a toll on families,” added Amal, whose husband and son will be playing in the Wellness Classic. “There are mental-health issues in everyone’s family, and it is very important and easier now to seek help. MHA does a great job in addressing these issues in the community.”

For more details and to register, visit www.mhainc.org/wellness-classic.