Orlando 12-Year-Old Named 2014 Peggy Kirk Bell Award Winner

Johnny Wright, a 12-year-old from Orlando, has been playing golf since he was four. When famed instructor Butch Harmon told the youngster he "had a good swing," his passion for golf only increased.

Johnny has volunteered at the local Boys and Girls Club since he was five. He picked out gifts for a Christmas party, set up and served the food, and helped with the games.

Two years ago he decided not to accept gifts for his own birthday party, instead turning it into a fundraiser to underwrite the parties of kids who had never had their own birthday celebration. Though not even a teenager, Johnny now has a 501(c)3 charitable designation for "A Birthday Party Wish, Inc." because he, with the help of his sister, family and friends, sponsors birthday parties for underprivileged kids in the Orlando area.

Because of his passion for golf, humble nature and charitable ventures, Johnny Wright has been named the winner of the 2014 Peggy Kirk Bell Award, given annually during the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship.

The award is named for and inspired by the lifelong efforts of Bell, widely considered one of the founders and catalysts for women's golf in America. Now 92 and a resident of Pine Needles, N.C., Bell is perhaps best known for her dedication to teaching the game to women. In 2002 she became the first woman inducted into the World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame. Each year since 2007, U.S. Kids Golf has presented the Peggy Kirk Bell Award to a boy or girl who has demonstrated outstanding philanthropy by making a difference in his or her community.

Johnny and his sister Gabrielle, now 10, partnered with Christian Service Center of Central Florida with their charity. Prior to the Wrights' involvement, kids from the organization held a shared monthly party. Through Johnny's organization, each child at the center is now able to choose their favorite party location, with gifts, a cake, decorations and invitations provided by A Birthday Party Wish.

Karen Flynn, program director at the Christian Service Center, has been touched by the community service of Johnny, who personally attends and helps at the parties. He has also become a "Big Brother" to Ethan at the center, providing extra attention to the 6-year-old.

"Families who cannot give their children parties have been overwhelmed by the kind and generous heart of Johnny Wright," Flynn said. "Children who would otherwise not celebrate their birthday will not forget that he cared enough to make their birthday wish come true."

Johnny's favorite party recipient has been Becky, a little girl whose mom had never been able to provide a party for her daughter.

The parties are for any child in need. He and Gabrielle also ask the kids celebrating their birthday to "pay it forward" by donating a gift to help another child because they know the gesture can make a difference.

Johnny's charity involves his friends, who make up his "Children's Board of Directors."

"My friends have helped raise additional money for the charity by volunteering for a huge garage sale," he said. "Some friends even donated things for the garage sale and money from their own savings and birthday parties."

The early contributions totaled nearly $4,000. The second local fundraiser in Orlando - along with an online push from friends, corporations and private donations - have vaulted Johnny and Gabrielle's charity over the $15,000 mark.

Even though Johnny is hands-on with his charity, his mother Erika says the seventh grader is hooked on golf, getting instruction from his local club pro in Orlando.

"We wouldn't call ourselves a 'golfing family,' but my son has brought us into the world of golf," said the proud mom. "Several years ago he picked up an old set of clubs and went out on the range. That's when I saw his passion and how serious he was. So I bought him a new set of clubs.

"I started to notice that he would come home after playing, clean his clubs every night, and watch golf on TV. I could see the pride he took in his golf game from top to bottom because he was truly in love with the game."

It was then she also saw a sense of independent commitment and knew he was where he belonged.

Erika Wright will be in her usual spot - carrying Johnny's bag - when he makes his first trip to North Carolina's Pinehurst Resort for the World Championship, where he'll be playing as the Peggy Kirk Bell Award recipient.

"Winning this award is important to me because it will help increase awareness among the golf community for my charity, which will help me raise more money," Johnny noted. "My goal for next year is to host a golf tournament fundraiser and get my golf buddies involved in helping out."

Johnny knows that celebrating life is what "A Birthday Party Wish is about - one wish and one birthday party at a time."

The above report is courtesy of U.S. Kids Golf. For more information, visit www.uskidsgolf.com.

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