Talk/Read/Succeed!

As a golf day, it was perfect.

And as a fund-raiser for an important, family-based literacy program, the fourth annual Isabel Serrazina Talk/Read/Succeed! Golf Tournament was a success story in its own right.

The July 18 event featured 74 golfers, an additional two dozen dinner guests, and near-perfect weather, with storms heading off to the north and south to keep the Country Club of Wilbraham sunny and dry.

Springfield Housing Authority Executive Director William H. Abrashkin welcomes golfers and guests at the fourth annual Isabel Serrazina Talk/Read/Succeed! Golf Tournament.

Golfers agreed the day was a great blend of fun, and support for the T/R/S! program.

“I’m always happy to come out and support Talk/Read/Succeed!,” said Thomas O’Brien, Springfield School Department Human Resources Senior Administrator.

SHA Executive director William H. Abrashkin said the event once again showcased an important program aimed at family literacy, and ultimately financial independence, for families in public housing.

“It was a wonderful way to support a program that shows the importance of involving family from day one in the kinds of things that bring about literacy and success,” Abrashkin said.

Golfers Jeff and Priscilla Chesky and Pam and Russ Omer at the tournament, representing sponsors Lyon & Fitzpatrick LLC.

T/R/S!, in its seventh year, unites two SHA family developments, Robinson Gardens and Sullivan, with their two feeder elementary schools, Dorman and Boland. Several local groups and organizations are also involved, including the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County, the Springfield School Department, the Springfield Education Association and Behavioral Health Network.

Golfers, volunteers and friends at the fourth annual Isabel Serrazina Golf/Read/Succeed! Golf Tournament. Photo by Hoang ‘Leon’ Nguyen.

Activities happen both at the housing developments and the schools, and include parents and entire families.

Besides academic events and activities for young children, T/R/S! includes support for adults such as job clubs, help gaining education training and ultimately, employment.

The golf tournament is a way to help support activities such as field trips, and supplies including books and other materials.

In 2014, the golf tournament was named after its founder, Isabel Serrazina, who died early that year in an accident.

Many members of her large and close-knit family attend and support the golf tournament, which this year raised several thousand dollars.