Chipping Into Hope: Fire & Ice Golf Classic Raises Funds to Keep Families Together

A flaming golf ball might sound like a gimmick, but for the HikeKidz Foundation, it’s a symbol of something far more urgent: the fight to keep families together during housing crises.

On February 21, the organization will host its first-ever Fire & Ice Charity Golf Tournament at the Blue Ridge Shadows Golf Club, blending the thrill of cold-weather golf with a serious mission. The event will raise funds for the Grace Fund, a new initiative by Hike Kidz designed to provide emergency housing for families facing homelessness in Warren County.

“We’re doing this because there’s currently no shelter for women and children in Front Royal,” said Amber Veitenthal, President of the HikeKidz Foundation. “When there’s an emergency housing need, the children are separated from their parents. That’s the biggest hurdle and barrier our community is facing.”

To drive the point home, literally, the tournament will take place in the dead of winter, with golfers braving the cold as a gesture of solidarity with local children who sleep in cars, motels, or unsafe conditions every night.

“It’ll be a little taste of what the homeless children in our community are experiencing every single day,” Veitenthal said.

From Gimmick to Good: Flaming Balls and Warming Tents

The event isn’t short on flair. Golfers can compete in a flaming ball challenge, literally chipping golf balls into a pit of fire, thanks to a sponsorship from local Realtor Amanda Slate, known for her community involvement and creative support.

“There’s nothing scaled to size here,” joked Harmony Hike, Founder of HikeKidz. “We go big, or we go home. And we’re not going home.”

Participants who prefer to stay warm can head indoors to use the golf simulator or enjoy games like blackjack, thanks to partners like Good Lions, who will lend their equipment to help make the event a success. Meanwhile, MT Mechanical is sponsoring a warming tent where players can relax with hot beverages, including Fireball and hot toddies.

“We want everyone to have fun, but we also want to remind people what this is about,” said Robby DeMariano, another committee member. “We’re raising money because families are out in the cold.”

Crisis Help, Right Now

The Grace Fund has already been activated. Calls are coming in from parents with nowhere to stay. Thanks to a partnership with Robin Russell, a trained community resource advocate, Hike Kidz can place families in hotels for up to 48 hours while connecting them with longer-term support.

“Now Harmony can field those calls and get people into a safe place, quickly,” Veitenthal said.

That’s just the start. The organization is working with Faithworks on transitional housing and has acquired property, funded by Virginia Housing, to develop more permanent solutions. All of this ties into their broader “Hub” concept, a growing resource center based at First Baptist Church that offers clothing, hygiene products, food, and more.

And when families are in place, they’ll need a way to eat well, too. That’s where Farm to Fam comes in, a new HikeKidz initiative developed by DeMariano to tackle food insecurity using local farms.

“Every single dollar is going to be spent with local farmers and producers,” he said. “We’re building an ecosystem — local food, local families, local support.”

Community Always Shows Up

In a year of mounting need, the Foundation has seen consistent generosity. Boxes of Basics, a nonprofit partner, has helped provide children with seasonally appropriate clothing and hygiene items. Hike Kidz has arranged ride-sharing for students, distributed food boxes, and worked with organizations like the Warren Coalition to connect families with long-term support.

“We thought we were just providing clothes,” said Hike. “But kids need food. They need housing. They need rides. The need is constant and growing.”

The Fire & Ice Tournament aims to attract at least 80 golfers, and there are still a few team and sponsorship slots available. Local businesses have already stepped up: Vault Homes, Southland Insulators, Good Lions, and Heidelberg Materials are among the sponsors, with more signing on daily.

The Hike Kidz Foundation will also host its annual luncheon this March, with a full report on the year’s accomplishments and a preview of the organization’s expanded board and future plans.

“We’re focused solely on Warren County, and there’s still so much to do,” Veitenthal said. “But when the community shows up like they always do, anything is possible.”

Want to Get Involved?

• Register your team or become a sponsor: givebutter.com/fireandiceclassic
• Donate or refer a family in crisis: www.hikekidzfoundation.org
• Drop off items at the Community Hub (First Baptist Church, Front Royal): New/gently used children’s clothing, hygiene kits, and nonperishable snacks are always needed.