On May 16, several hundred people gathered at Brays Island for the 24th Annual AMIkids Beaufort Croquet Picnic, part of a full weekend of fundraising events. AMIkids Beaufort is one of more than 50 programs across the country affiliated with nationally-recognized AMIkids, headquartered in Tampa, Florida. They are a non-profit organization dedicated to providing Beaufort kids an opportunity to transform into responsible young adults.

<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/playing-to-win.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-23115" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/playing-to-win-300x199.jpg" alt="playing to win" width="300" height="199" /></a>AMIkids offers a promising future through positive and motivating programs that inspire learning, leadership and personal growth. The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice assigns select young men to AMIkids Beaufort where they work to separate a troubled past from a bright future through education, work skills training, community service and physical training. Sylvia Murray, director of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice, attended as a guest at this year’s event.

Thanks to generous donations throughout the weekend, AMIkids Beaufort raised more than $100,000 to directly benefit the at-risk young men they serve. This money will help fund their welding program, which teaches young men valuable work skills. The money will provide much needed funds for a major infrastructure upgrade at their aging campus in Dale, SC.

For 24 years, Brays Island has generously shared part of their golf course and driving range, converting it to high-quality croquet courts, for this fundraiser. This year, along with Brays Island, Brantley and Alice Harvey graciously shared their home, Marshlands, in Beaufort’s Historic District for the Friday night Captains’ Party and silent auction.