GOLF—FOR A GREAT CAUSE

Joe Daley (Right) of SEFCU Insurance, gives a thumbs up as he and Liberty Board member Carl Pucci set off to play in Liberty Foundation’s 2009 Golf Tournament. As Premier Sponsor of the event, SEFCU Insurance headed a roster of sponsors and golfers who helped to make this year’s event the most successful to date.

On Thursday, June 4, 2009, Liberty Foundation hosted the 15th annual golf tournament at the Rolling Hills Country Club. On one of the most beautiful days so far this year, a full field of golfers took to the links for a day of golf enhanced by a variety of on-course contests, refreshments and food offerings all designed to make the event both challenging and fun. As the golfers teed off, few were contemplating how much their participation in this enjoyable event will impact the lives of people with disabilities in our community. While the focus was on golf, the fact that the money raised on this day and at golf events in past years will and has helped hundreds of children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families, makes this golf outing more than just a day on the links.

There are many golf tournaments in and around our community. It is a favorite fund raiser for not-for-profit organizations because it marries competition and philanthropy in a way few events can. Typically, golf events draw not only serious amateur golfers who welcome a chance to participate in a competitive sport, but these tournaments also draw “duffers” who play only occasionally, but enjoy the chance to spend a day on the links for a good cause. Liberty Foundation hosted its first golf tournament in 1995 at the suggestion of local businessman Christopher Sapia. Sapia, an avid golfer, had served on tournament committees for several local organizations, and felt that a golf fund raiser would be a good fit for the newly-formed Foundation. He chaired the committee for 11 years. This year the Golf Committee included Mike Hutcherson and Joe Daley of SEFCU Insurance; Pam Hotaling, Liberty Foundation Board President; Mike Schebal of Unifirst; Marty Hughes of Betz, Rossi, Bellinger and Stewart Family Funeral Homes; Wayne Bovee of Seeley Conover Office Center; and Kevin Canale, Manager of Rolling Hill CC. The event was coordinated by Lisa Augustine, Liberty Foundation staff member, with the assistance of many Liberty staff and other volunteers. All of these individuals brought a high level of expertise and commitment to this fund raiser.

Individuals in Liberty’s program and Liberty staff joined in the fun and competition at Liberty Foundation’s Golf Tournament on June 4. L to R (back): Vince DeShane and Butch Johnson, L to R (front): David DiCaprio, Jimmy Gargiulo, Andy Hall and Jeff Blaha. This event is Liberty’s largest fund raiser, bringing in over $500,000 since 1995 for the benefit of family support programs.

Since that first event 15 years ago, the annual tournament has netted more than $500,000 to benefit Liberty’s family support programs for people with disabilities and their families in Montgomery County. It is the Foundation’s largest fund raiser. The tournament, in addition to other Foundation fund raisers and prudent investments, has enabled the organization to allocate more than $4 million to fund family support services since 1995. Liberty’s family support services include after school and recess programs, summer camping experiences, evening and weekend recreation activities and respite services. All of these programs provide enjoyable, well-supervised activities for individuals with developmental disabilities while giving family members some much needed break time. Frequently, the support provided by Liberty has played a pivotal role in keeping the family unit together and vibrant.

This year sponsorship was led by SEFCU Insurance as our Premier Sponsor and Irwin Siegel Agency and Jaeger & Flynn Associates, Inc., Principal Sponsors. Liberty Foundation is grateful to these high level sponsors and all the business and individual sponsors, golfers and committee members who have given their time and money to help make these services possible. It is a fact that businesses and individuals are being called upon more and more to assist human services organizations in every community. The Board members and staff of the Foundation feel very fortunate to have the ongoing support of so many of our business and community friends at a time when so many organizations are asking for assistance. While a good time was had by all on June 4, it wasn’t just a day of golf and good times—the benefits of the event will be felt by hundreds of people throughout the year. All the individuals who participated may not be the best golfers…but they most certainly are the best people. For more information about Liberty Foundation’s fund raising events or Family Support Services, contact Barbara Wool at 518.954.3202.

Liberty Foundation is grateful to the sponsors shown below.