Golf Event Surpasses $1 Million Milestone

RL James Exteriors’ annual tournament raises a record-setting $127,918 as Bob and Rita James celebrate 13 years of giving back to Florida’s veterans

WINDERMERE, Fla. — October 2026 — Thirteen years of golfing for a purpose officially reached an extraordinary milestone Monday as the 13th Annual PROJECT: VetRelief Golf Tournament, hosted by Florida based organization, RL James Exteriors, raised a record-setting $127,918 in net proceeds, which pushed the tournament’s cumulative impact beyond $1 million raised in support of Florida veterans and military families.

The sold-out tournament at The Golden Bear Club in Windermere brought together over 100 golfers, sponsors, donors, veteran advocates and community supporters for a day filled with purpose and patriotism.

For longtime hosts Robert “Bob” and Rita James, reaching the $1 million mark fulfilled a goal that has been more than a decade in the making.

During the awards banquet, Bob reflected on why supporting veterans has remained so personal to him. While Bob did not serve in the military, both he and Rita come from families with a proud history of military service. Bob’s father served in the U.S. Navy and passed away when Bob was young. Years later, Bob learned that veterans’ benefits had helped support his widowed mother and their six children. He did not fully understand that impact as a child, but it helped inspire his desire to pay it forward.

After sharing his story, Bob issued one more challenge to the room saying that he and Rita would personally match every dollar pledged during the banquet through their family foundation.

What happened next left the room nearly speechless.

A generous donor opened the pledge period with an unexpected commitment of more than $21,000. From there, hands continued to rise throughout the room, with attendees adding $250 pledges until the total reached $27,750, which Bob and Rita committed to match through their family foundation.

It was a fitting conclusion to a day centered on the power of generosity, and the ripple effect created when like-minded patriots come together to support those who have served.

That impact was echoed by Elizabeth Kirchmeier of SOF Missions, a Strategic Partner of PROJECT: VetRelief’s Suicide Prevention Initiative and the tournament’s Featured Guest Speaker.

“Bob and Rita, you create a ripple effect from your generosity,” Kirchmeier told attendees during the banquet.

Her words reflected an impact that extends well beyond the dollars raised. Through their generosity, Bob and Rita have inspired sponsors, businesses, friends and supporters to become part of a mission that reaches veterans they may never personally meet.

Eric Anderson of Spirit Equine Therapy, another PROJECT: VetRelief Suicide Prevention Strategic Partner, helped open the tournament with its signature horseback “shotgun” start and spoke to the impact that support has on organizations serving veterans.

“You and PVR’s vision have saved lives, changed others, and gave people a place they could support where there will never be any doubt whether we’re doing the right thing for the right reasons or not,” Anderson said.

The tournament has grown significantly since Bob and Rita first gathered friends together for a day of golf and an opportunity to give back. This year’s record $127,918 brought their 13-year effort across the $1 million threshold.

But the milestone represents far more than a fundraising total.

It represents 13 years of relationships, generosity and a shared commitment to ensuring veterans and military families have somewhere to turn when they need help most.

Proceeds benefit PROJECT: VetRelief, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and official program of The American Legion, Department of Florida. Through its Emergency Assistance Program, PROJECT: VetRelief provides financial relief to eligible Florida veterans, active-duty military members and their families facing unexpected hardships. Its Suicide Prevention Initiative works alongside trusted Strategic Partners to connect veterans with mental health, wellness and therapeutic programs.

For Bob and Rita, Monday’s milestone may have fulfilled their original $1 million goal, but the generosity displayed throughout the day made one thing clear; the impact they started 13 years ago is still growing.