At the intersection of sports and philanthropy, Nemours Children’s Health continues to make a lasting impact on childhood well-being. As the Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS presented by Circle K tournament brought together some of golf’s biggest names, Nemours stepped up as a key partner in the fight against childhood hunger.

The event, hosted by Jim and Tabitha Furyk, is more than a premier golf tournament—it’s a platform for change. This year, Nemours led the charge in supporting Blessings in a Backpack, to ensure children have food to eat over the weekend when school meals are unavailable.

During the Pro-Am lunch, golf legends including Jim Furyk, Justin Leonard, Fred Couples, John Daly, Vijay Singh, and Steve Stricker joined sponsors and guests in a food-packing event to support local elementary school children. Together, they filled bags with shelf-stable, kid-friendly food, ensuring students would have something nutritious to eat over the weekend.

Following the afternoon of giving back, participants gathered for Live on The Lawn, an evening celebration presented by Nemours Children’s Health. But beyond the festivities, the healthcare leader reinforced its unwavering commitment to community health—extending far beyond the walls of hospitals and clinics.

“Helping kids stay healthy isn’t just about what happens inside our hospitals—it’s about making sure they have what they need outside of them, too,” said Paris Owens, interim president of Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville. “That’s why we support Blessings in a Backpack in feeding over 500 children each weekend in Jacksonville. It’s a small action that makes a big impact.”

A Shared Commitment to Health and Nutrition

Nemours’ involvement with Blessings in a Backpack aligns with its mission to create the healthiest generation of children. Research has long shown that food insecurity directly affects a child’s physical health, cognitive development, and academic performance. By supporting weekend nutrition programs, Nemours is helping to fill a critical gap in children’s health and well-being.

For Tabitha Furyk, this mission is personal. She has been a longtime advocate for Blessings in a Backpack, not only in Jacksonville but nationwide through her leadership with the PGA TOUR Wives Association.

“With the help of incredible partners like Nemours, we’re not just talking about hunger—we’re doing something about it,” said Furyk. “Events like Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS allow us to engage the community and make a real difference.”

The Power of Partnerships

For Justin and Amanda Leonard, supporting Blessings in a Backpack is a family tradition. From Texas to Colorado and now Florida, they’ve helped establish programs wherever they’ve lived, ensuring children in their communities don’t have to worry about weekend hunger. Their youngest son even started a Blessings Club at his high school to support the cause.

“Once you see the need, you can’t look away,” said Leonard. “We want to do everything we can to support this great organization.”