As part of the KDC Cares program, KDC hosted its first-ever Cedar Crest Classic 4 Kids, a golf tournament benefiting inner-city Dallas youth on Friday, Oct. 4 at the Cedar Crest Golf Course with 21 foursomes taking to the course under the sunny blue skies in South Dallas. We are proud to have raised over $200,000.

Our many incredible sponsors made this event possible. All proceeds from this event support four charities dedicated to enhancing the lives of inner-city youth: I Am a Golfer Foundation, Behind Every Door, Mercy Street and Momentous Institute.

“At the heart of KDC is a commitment to support the communities we live and work in,” said Steve Van Amburgh, KDC Executive Chairman. “For the golf tournament, our wonderful sponsors and partners allow us to utilize our relationships and resources within the commercial real estate world to make a huge impact on the lives of inner-city children.”

To fully grasp the impact of KDC’s Cedar Crest Classic 4 Kids, we must introduce the community to the amazing charity beneficiaries of the funds raised.

• I Am a Golfer Foundation’s mission is to be a catalyst for community renewal and transformation in the South Dallas area through promotion of the Cedar Crest golf course and an emphasis on how sports can transform and diversify underserved communities.
• Behind Every Door runs community centers and opens doors for kids to realize their full potential by discovering their gifts and purpose. They work with people of all ages, but their biggest focus is on children and youth.
• Mercy Street combines the fundamentals of sport and faith to cultivate meaningful relationships in the community by pairing children with an adult mentor to mold kids to grow up to be community leaders.
• Momentous Institute exists to strengthen the mental health of people in the Dallas community through innovative mental health services, education and training with the goal of cultivating a world where emotionally thriving people reach their full potential.

These are worthwhile organizations that work to address a lack of resources for inner-city youths while providing services to improve their overall well-being and prospects.

“The proceeds from this golf tournament will provide the means for education, mentorship and recreational activities that these kids might not have access to otherwise,” said Eric Hage, KDC President. “Additionally, opportunities arise to help empower them to reach their full potential while creating positive changes in their communities. It’s all about giving them opportunities to thrive.”

Recently, the Cedar Crest Community Center received a much-needed restoration with the help of donors such as KDC and others in the commercial real estate community. The revitalized center now includes a basketball gym with a full court that allows for two games to be played simultaneously, a board room, a golf simulator and locker room facilities, among many other revisions. The center serves as a major sports hub and enrichment center for South Dallas and is a wonderful place to gather within the broader Dallas community.

Through the KDC Cares program, we have volunteered thousands of hours and developed more than 380,000 square feet of facilities for various organizations over the past eight years. In addition to the Cedar Crest Community Center, these facilities have also benefited from KDC Cares: 24 Hour Club, The Magdalen House, Children’s Advocacy Center, McKinney Family Health Center, Our Calling, Youth Believing in Change (YBC), Jubilee Park Community Clinic, Envision Dallas and Hugs Training Facility.

“Through these efforts, the best in the CRE industry come together to provide the various components needed for the new facilities at little or no cost to the non-profits,” said Van Amburgh. “Our efforts free up funds that allow these wonderful organizations to better serve their clients in safe and up-to-date facilities. Over the years, we’ve partnered with industry friends and local leadership to build more than hundreds of thousands of square feet of nonprofit facilities in North Texas. KDC is proud to give back and do what we can so these great nonprofit organizations can do all they can.”