Nearly 60 teams of golfers teed off to help raise $26,000 to support area children’s charities through the 12th Annual Simmons Employee Foundation (SEF) Golf Tournament held June 24 at the Spencer T. Olin Golf Course in Alton.
All net proceeds were distributed in equal parts to the Illinois branch of the St. Louis charity Friends of Wings, a pediatric hospice and supportive care program of the non-profit BJC Healthcare organization, and to the St. Louis office of World Pediatric Project (WPP), which provides children with access to critical care.
“The 12th SEF golf tournament was a great success, resulting in both charities receiving a $13,000 check,” said SEF Director Amy Fair, who also leads the firm’s Asbestos Medical Department. “It’s a wonderful result that would not have been possible without our volunteers, sponsors, players and the staff of Spencer T. Olin. Thanks to them, children will receive the medical treatment they need right here in St. Louis.”
Established in 1997, the BJC Wings provides hospice and supportive care and hospice to children diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses and their families throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan area. Friends of Wings provides its services regardless of ability to pay and relies on community support and fundraisers.
“We have never been more impressed with an event for which we have been a partner,” said Maryann Barkley, Co-president of Friends of Wings Illinois. “Everyone associated with the SEF Golf Tournament was so kind, and it was wonderful seeing so many people come out for great causes.”
Founded in 2001, WPP provides pediatric surgical, diagnostic and preventative resources to children in developing countries by partnering with hospitals and physicians in St. Louis and around the country. Funds raised by WPP assist in paying travel accommodations for patients and their families. Additionally, the program provides vital dental care to more than 400 children from low-income St. Louis-area families.
“For us, everything we do and everyone we work with is a partnership,” said Elaine Dempsey, director of philanthropy at WPP. “Thank you so much to Simmons Hanly Conroy and its employee foundation for becoming one of our partners and helping us provide the services these children need.”
The tournament was organized in a four-person scramble format, with participants donating $100 per player or $400 per team. Entry fees included green fees, cart rental, lunch or dinner, refreshments and a complimentary gift. Additional financial support options included the “Deal or No Deal” game, 50/50 raffle tickets that contributed a record amount, and the opportunity to tee off alongside a professional golfer.
About Simmons Employee Foundation
In late 2004, the employees of Simmons Hanly Conroy, a national plaintiffs’ law firm headquartered in Alton, Ill., came together to create a single, streamlined way for them to give back to the communities they are so proud to call home. As a result of the employees’ creativity and heartfelt commitment, the Simmons Employee Foundation (SEF) has provided more than $1 million of financial support and countless volunteer hours to local charitable organizations around the country.
