The Joshua Bent Memorial Golf Tournament is this Saturday

A white hard hat on the shelf inside the construction trailer behind Monroe Town Hall bears The Architectural Team logo. Frank Bent, the clerk of the works for the police station building project, says it belongs to his late son Joshua, who died in a car accident five years ago.

In death, Joshua Bent saved nine people's lives through donations of his organs, including his lungs, kidneys, heart, liver, corneas, pancreas, intestines and skin.

"I wear my son's hard hat for this project," Bent said during an interview inside the trailer. "He worked for The Architectural Team in Chelsea, Mass."

On Saturday the Joshua Bent Memorial Scholarship Fund's 4th Annual Golf Tournament will be held on the greens of the Whitney Farms Golf Course, 175 Shelton Road. The charitable event begins with check in and lunch at 11 a.m., a Shotgun Tee Off at noon, and a 5:30 p.m. dinner with prizes and the Mike Riccio Sports Auction.

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The support of the golf tournament from members of the community and businesses continues to grow.

"We're always awe struck by the generosity of people who want to help," Bent said. "They're generous with their time and their money. That's what makes us so pleased."

Over the years, the tournament has raised well over $40,000 and Bent expects that total to surpass $50,000 by a wide margin. Two Masuk High School seniors planning to major in architecture have received $2,500 scholarships and the rest of the funds have gone to Wentworth Institute of Technology to provide scholarships for students in need of financial aid.

Joshua graduated from Masuk in 1988 and Wentworth is his Alma Mater.

Though Masuk has no seniors planning on studying architecture this year, Bent expects to award multiple scholarships to Monroe students next year.

A Special Guest

Michael Slama, 50, whose life was saved after receiving Joshua's heart in a transplant, has since become close friends with Frank Bent and his wife, Johanne.

"His wife gave Johanne a package of Lifesavers and said, 'You are a life saver,'" Frank Bent recalled. "And we kept it."

During last year's golf tournament everyone received a package of Lifesavers with a ribbon attached to an organ donor card.

Bent said Michael Slama will be a featured speaker at this weekend's tournament. He said Slama speaks on behalf of the New England Organ Bank at hospitals, colleges and universities.

"He explains why organ donations are so important," Bent said.

'Joshua's Legacy Carries On'

Sports Illustrated donated corporate box seats for four to a New York Mets game in the end of July, as well as cover issues featuring Giants' quarterback Eli Manning, New England's Tom Brady and Saints' signal caller Drew Brees to be auctioned off.

Corning Inc. is donating four corporate box seats to a Boston Red Sox game.

Bent said the value for the game packages is close to $800, including parking.

The tournament has also received support from local businesses like Paul McGuire Golf Shop, Mr. Mac's Canteen, El Coyote and Glen-Ro Spirit Shoppe, according to Bent.

"Jan Mahoney of Gem Design does the brochures and posters for us," he said.

Bent also credited the generosity of the Bargas family for allowing the tournament to be held at The Stone Barn on a Saturday.

Looking back on all that has been done in his son's name, Bent said, "His legacy just carries on and on. That's inspiring for us. People haven't forgotten and continue to support us. Kids who want to become architects can. It's inspiring."

Donations may be sent in care of the Joshua Bent Memorial Fund, 26 High Ridge Drive, Monroe CT 06468.