Rafe Cochran knows full well the importance of philanthropy.
The West Palm Beach teen once again successfully merged his two passions — playing golf and helping the less fortunate — by bringing people together to compete in his annual charity golf tournament.
A total of 24 foursomes participated in the sixth annual Rafe Cochran Golf Classic at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach to help the 17-year-old relieve overcrowding at a high school in Jamaica, through the Coconut Creek-based nonprofit, Food For The Poor.
“Today, we are all here alongside the amazing organization, Food For The Poor, to raise funds to build new buildings at the McGrath High School in Treadways, Jamaica,” Rafe said during the classic’s awards presentation. “To be able to impact the community through education is the strongest gift one can give because education will impact the lives of generations to come.”
Cochran’s passion for golf began when he was 6. He created his charity golf event at age 11, hosting his first golf classic in 2016. With the support of his parents, at age 9 he became one of FFTP’s youngest donors, raising money to build 10 homes in Haiti and later building or expanding three schools in Jamaica by age 14.
This year’s classic will fund the construction of two buildings with six classrooms to accommodate 140 children and six staff members at McGrath High School in Treadways, Jamaica.
Originally built to accommodate 600 students ages 12 to 15, the school has a population of 1,200 students, ages 12 to 18, many from low-income families. Many students attend classes outdoors beneath gazebos or trees and in open areas under staircases and in corridors.
Cochran, who will be a senior at Oxbridge Academy, has generated over $600,000, including an estimated $150,000 this year since his event began.
“Rafe’s dedication to his sport and the people we serve is commendable,” FFTP president and CEO Ed Raine said. “He is wise beyond his years, and his compassion is boundless. We’re honored to partner with him.”
Cochran was introduced to FFTP by Delane Bailey-Herd, who visited his third-grade class at Palm Beach Day Academy and shared information about the charity and its efforts to transform the lives of impoverished people in the Caribbean and Latin America. Her message ignited his passion for helping those in need through his years-long partnership with FFTP.
“Rafe is a kind person, and part of his kindness envelopes the desire that people have opportunities — this is what he’s about, creating opportunities for people,” said Bailey-Herd, FFTP program director, partnerships. “When Rafe came to Food For The Poor, he saw the difficulties that people experienced, and when he went to Haiti and saw the conditions that people lived in, he was determined that he was going to bring about change.”
That desire to bring about change inspired Cochran to enlist his parents, Jay and Diahann Cochran, to help him raise funds for FFTP and ultimately establish the Rafe Cochran Golf Classic. They are the core members of a team of family members, sponsors and well-wishers who embraced his dream to help lift people out of poverty.
“Rafe has always cared about people, and he’s got a big heart — he saw something that touched him inside, and he went with it,” Jay Cochran said before heading out to links with his foursome. “He’s just kept it growing and growing, and it’s put us on a great adventure.”
Rafe’s compassion was on full display during the tournament when he thanked his sponsors, the golfers and FFTP for their participation.
“We will continue to help one person, one family and one school at a time,” he said. “One is never too young to take action and make a difference.”
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