A Tradition of Joy Continues to Grow on the Green
Golf for Joy Austin, presented by NFP, returned for its fourth year as a two-day celebration of community and generosity on November 8-9, 2026. From an inspiring evening dinner to a spirited day on the golf course, supporters came together once again to help bring JoyRx Music and Mentorship to children facing serious illness in Austin and across Texas.
And what a joyful event it was!
It’s true they do everything bigger in Texas, and this year’s Golf for Joy Austin certainly lived up to the saying. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of sponsors, donors, and players, this year’s event raised over $320,000 for JoyRx Music and JoyRx Mentorship, exceeding our goal and setting a new tournament record for fundraising. Together, we created more opportunities to bring music, connection, and joy to children and their families.
A Night Filled with Joy
On Sunday evening, guests gathered for a cocktail reception, dinner, and program celebrating the impact of JoyRx Music across Central Texas. Returning for another year as emcee was Alex Moffat, JoyRx Ambassador and beloved Saturday Night Live alum, whose humor and heartfelt enthusiasm helped set the tone for the evening.
Guests also heard from Heidi Boynton, Regional Vice President in Texas, who shared how the Austin community continues to make a meaningful difference for children and families facing serious illness.
“You are part of the music, the friendship, and the love that reaches them,” Heidi shared with the audience.
One of the evening's most memorable moments came from the honored family speaker Heloisa Vaz, whose daughter Amanda received JoyRx Music during her treatment journey. Heloisa shared her family's story with honesty and courage, recounting Amanda's diagnosis, treatment, and recovery while highlighting the role JoyRx Music played during some of their most challenging days.
As Heloisa shared:
“For me, it was like you were with a dark cloud around you, and the music was a ray of sunshine, opening that dark cloud and bringing you into a lighter situation.
The music did not make the treatment disappear. It did not take away the difficult things. But it gave us something different. It gave Amanda a moment to enjoy something she loved, and it gave us a moment to breathe.”
Her story served as a powerful reminder of WHY JoyRx Music exists: to help children find moments of joy, comfort, and connection during treatment.
The evening also featured a lively auction led by Dale Johannes, of DC Auctions, whose energy and passion inspired generous bidding throughout the room. Following the auction, Dale welcomed Sam Hahn, co-founder of L.A.B. Golf, to the stage for an engaging Q&A conversation. Their candid discussion about entrepreneurship, innovation, perseverance, and the game of golf captivated guests and provided a memorable close to the program.
To the Links at Grey Rock
Monday's tournament brought teams to Grey Rock Golf Club, where golfers teed off despite cool temperatures and intermittent rain. While the weather wasn't ideal, it certainly didn't dampen spirits.
Players embraced the conditions with enthusiasm, enjoying a day of friendly competition, camaraderie, and purpose. From the first tee to the final putt, the course was filled with laughter, connection, and a shared commitment to supporting children facing serious illness.
Throughout the day, golfers had opportunities to compete, connect with fellow supporters, and celebrate the impact their participation makes possible. Whether longtime supporters or first-time participants, everyone helped create an unforgettable experience on the course. And because joy is at the heart of everything we do, attendees were greeted throughout the weekend with a small surprise: purple heart-shaped donuts shared as a simple reminder of the mission that brought everyone together.
Photos by Sean Mathis, courtesy of Children’s Cancer Association Our Golf for Joy Austin Committee & Fourth Annual Golf for Joy Austin Tournament Winners
Congratulations to our winning team: Chris Hornsby, Adam Holman, Kim Hussey, and Paul Hornsby.
To our committee members, team captains, sponsors, volunteers, and players: thank you for making this event such a tremendous success. Your generosity and dedication continue to bring the healing power of music to children and families when they need it most.
Golf for Joy Austin was made possible, in part, through the support of our Presenting Sponsor, NFP, and the many partners, donors, and volunteers who brought the event to life.
Thank you to our Golf for Joy committee chair, JJ Ruiz, and committee members: Jerry Achilles, Sumin Cha, Steve Dimarco, Michael Mckinley, Caleb Noel, Steve Ortega, Brock Purslow, and Marcus Roper.
Because of you, more children like Amanda can experience moments of joy, connection, and hope during treatment.
Thank you for helping us make this our most impactful Golf for Joy Austin yet.
Honoring the Partners Who Make Joy Possible
The success of Golf for Joy is made possible by a remarkable community of corporate partners who believe every child facing a serious illness deserves moments of connection, comfort, and joy.
