FOUNDATION
“The ceremony and dedication of the bridge took place on the 18th hole of the Canyon Course. It was a perfect morning, a little foggy, a bit misty,” explained Thomas, a bit misty-eyed himself, as he recalled the morning. “ I wanted to make sure Denise’s family saw the plaque first. I took a cart with the Martinez family down to the bridge in the middle of the fairway. Then we returned to the Canyon clubhouse.” “After the player’s practice was complete, Matt Bailey and I spread the word for the 60-70 participants and the family to move on down in their carts to the 18th hole bridge. I took the young bagpiper we hired from Williams and his mother back down near the green,” Thomas explained. “Then I positioned myself so that I could signal the young man when the members and Martinez family were in place by the bridge.”
SAVE THE DATE SATURDAY, JULY 13
“The piper started playing and walked from the edge of the 18th green back towards the bridge,” recalled Thomas. “Judge O’Toole, then Chairman of the Forest Highlands Foundation spoke. He read the words on the plaque and offered some remembrances. Then, Peter Martinez, Denise’s father, spoke on behalf of the family.”
Help us celebrate 25 years of giving back to the Flagstaff community at the 2024 Forest Highlands Foundation Gala, our first to be held since 2019! Join us for an elegant cocktail reception and dinner at the Canyon Clubhouse. Bid on over 50 fabulous silent auction items and be there to participate in a live auction of amazing trips and other treasures. Truly a “not to be missed” event. If you’re feeling the spirit of giving and want to support this incredible event or contribute directly to the Foundation, just a click away stands the gateway to generosity! Click below to join us in our mission to uplift our community! Every donation, big or small, fuels our efforts to create positive change and spread hope.
“My goal was to simply raise money for the Foundation in addition to the create a lasting tribute to Denise Martinez and her family. “ Thomas offered. The annual tribute in the form of the memorial golf tournament continues to raise much-needed funds for the Forest Highlands Foundation to give back to greater Flagstaff and also has embolded Denise’s legacy in our community.
On Monday, July 8, 2024, the Denise Martinez Memorial Pro-Am golf tournament will be held at Forest Highlands. For additional information click here.
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For a link to the Denise Martinez obituary, click the button below.
The 2023 Foundation Report may be found here > > >
OBITUARY
VOICE IN THE PINES • APRIL 2024
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