As they handed out Christmas gifts to those in need last week, Westbay Community Action received one of their own – $20,000 – from an avid golfer.

Westbay President and CEO Paul Salera said the money will be put towards some of Westbay’s different functions, and the impact of it will be seen in Warwick’s at-risk communities.

“This is the stuff that will help the families that fall through the cracks,” Salera said.

William Donovan, Providence Mutual vice president of business development and marketing, won the $20,000 in World Insurance’s World Invitational golf tournament in Ponte Vedra, Fla. from Nov. 6 to Nov. 8. The $20,000, to go to the charity of the winner’s choice, was the top prize, with $10,000 going to the runner-up.

Donovan was paired up with Jim Lyday, a World Insurance employee from Tennessee, and the two won the tournament on a shootout. As Lyday was employed by the company, all of the winnings went to Donovan, as the guest.

“It was a par 3, and we made par,” Donovan said. “We were the only ones that made par.”

Following the tournament, Donovan said that the first charity that came to his mind was Westbay. Providence Mutual and Westbay have had a relationship for more than 20 years, said Providence Mutual’s Director of Human Resources Stephanie Williamson.

 “It’s our nature to give back,” she said. “[Adopt-a-family] has become one of the events in our culture that we always look forward to.”

The company has adopted families for more than ten years as well, said President Michele Streton as a check presentation and tour of the Westbay operation on Jefferson Boulevard Friday afternoon.

Salera said more than 200 families have been adopted this year by Westbay through individuals and organizations like Providence Mutual.

“One adopt-a-family sponsor bought bikes for the whole family, saying ‘why should only the kids get them?’ Salera said. “You’re providing Christmas not only for the kids, but for the whole family.”

On Friday Westbay’s meeting room was filled with dolls, puzzles, clothes, board games and more to be given out as Christmas approaches.

Westbay serves individuals and families dealing with poverty and economic instability. Salera said some of the $20,000 will be used to stock its food pantry with items for those with diabetes and Celiac disease, which he said many people tend to overlook.

“People come to us because they know we help the community, and the community are the ones that need help,” Salera said. “Everyone that comes here needs a hand up. Not a handout, a hand up.”

Additionally, Salera said that this money would help with Westbay’s programs for utility and rent assistance. He noted those expenses typically tend to be among the things that those struggling forgo first, as food and gas are more immediate priorities.

 “You don’t solve homelessness unless you prevent it, and you can’t prevent it if there are people getting evicted,” Salera said.

As for the $20,000, Salera said that being able to partner with groups like Providence Mutual made him glad to work in Warwick, which he called a special community.

“This is what makes Warwick special,” he said. “We don’t have to worry about community partnerships.”