By Darragh Doiron

The News staff writer

Grins at Hughen Center were in order Thursday as a the Valero family and supporters visited students with a $65,000 gift. A big golf game netted the big donation.

“You can’t wipe the grin off my face today,” Monte Osburn, Hughen director, said.

The big check came from the Valero Port Arthur Refinery employees with funds raised from the 2009 Valero Texas Open and Benefit for Children Golf Classic in San Antonio.

Greg Gentry, vice president and general manager of Valero Port Arthur, chatted with Morgan Dodson, a 15-year-old Hughen student who attends the school, about her love for The Jonas Brothers singers.

“I like their music, and they’re cute,” she told her new acquaintance.

Gentry said this is the fourth year employees chose to support Hughen.

“This is a great organization we want to support,” he said.

Hughen has 21 disabled students that live on campus and 15 adults in the day center, Osburn said.

Osburn said he’s been with Hughen a little over two years and immediately noted the Valero commitment.

“From the moment I set foot on the property, that was very clear to me,” he said. “Without Valero, I don’t know what we’d do. They keep us going.”

Besides funds, employees offer other supports such as loaning them a “monster barbecue pit” for a link sale, Osburn said.

Barbara Phillips, Valero spokeswoman, noted that Lee Murphy with RDS, Joe Lunceford with Wyatt Field Services, Mike Strickland from Cat Spec and James Gibson of RCI, were among several business partners who make the tournament and donations possible.

Valero will distribute $8 million to children’s charities this year. In the Port Arthur area, a total of 17 children’s charities will receive grants totaling $500,000, representing the Port Arthur area’s share of the $8 million total. The remaining funds will be distributed to children’s charities throughout the areas where Valero does business, according to Phillips.

Other agencies receiving donations are:

Children’s Miracle Network

Shorkey Education and Rehabilitation Center

Muscular Dystrophy Association

Garth House, Mickey Mehaffy Children’s Advocacy Program

Port Arthur Helping Our People Excel (HOPE)

Jack 1 Foundation, Inc.

LAW (Love at Work)

James Hope Center for Children, Inc.

YMCA of Port Arthur

Girls’ Haven

Boys’ Haven

Buckner Children and Family Services

CASA of Southeast Texas

Project Access

North Early Learning Center Head Start

IEA – Inspire, Encourage, Achieve

“For years, the Benefit for Children Golf Classic has been giving back to the community, and we’re proud to be able to do so this year during a time of such need,” said Phillips, who is manager of public affairs at the refinery. “These donations will make a significant impact in the lives of thousands of children across the area. “This is a true partnership among Valero employees, our sponsors and the PGA TOUR. It takes all three to achieve success.”

ddoiron@panews.com