ALTON, Ill. (May 11, 2015) – Simmons Hanly Conroy is proud to announce that the Simmons Employee Foundation’s 11th annual golf tournament will help young adult cancer patients and the children of workers harmed by serious work-related accidents. The two charities selected this year are Illinois Kids’ Chance, based in Alton, Ill., and 3 Little Birds for Life, out of Collinsville, Ill.
“As a law firm that helps individuals and families devastated by mesothelioma cancer and other occupational injuries, the missions of 3 Little Birds 4 Life and Illinois Kids’ Chance are near and dear to our employees’ hearts,” said SEF Director Amy Fair. “We are really excited to help these two, deserving local charities.”
Illinois Kids’ Chance is the state chapter of a national organization that awards college scholarships to kids whose parents have either been killed or seriously injured in work-related accidents. The first Kids’ Chance chapter was started in Georgia in 1988. Since then, over 25 states, including Illinois, have their own Kids’ Chance program and have given out over $5 million in need-based scholarships to over 2,000 children.
3 Little Birds 4 Life is a national wish-granting charity for young adult cancer patients started by a teacher named Ashley Swip. When her brother Guy “Tyler” Gifford was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in his late 20s, Ashley quickly learned that most wish-granting charities phase out candidates at 18. Instead, she worked with the St. Louis Cardinal’s to grant Tyler’s wish to attend a game, meet the announcers and sit in the press box.
When Tyler passed away in November 2010, Ashley decided to continue granting wishes to young adults in his honor. She started 3 Little Birds 4 Life, which is dedicated to granting wishes for young adults, ages 18-40. The organization has since grated over 70 wishes in 15 different states for 25 different types of cancer.
“I encourage everyone to join us on the green in support of these two very good causes” Fair said.
The tournament, organized in a 4-person scramble format, will take place Friday, June 12 at the Spencer T. Olin Golf Course in Alton. Tee times are 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Cash prizes will be awarded to the first and second place teams in each flight.
Registration costs $100 per player or $400 per four-person team. Teams registered by May 31 will be entered into a drawing for four St. Louis Cardinal’s tickets. Entry fees include green fees, cart rental, lunch or dinner, refreshments on the course and a complimentary gift. One hundred percent of the net proceeds will benefit the charities.
For additional information about registration and sponsorships, contact Amy Stiebel at 618-693-3104 or by e-mail at [email protected].
Information about this year’s charities can be found by visiting their websites here and here.
About Simmons Employee Foundation
In late 2004, the employees of the Simmons firm 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 their creativity and heartfelt commitment, the Simmons Employee Foundation (SEF), has provided over $1 million of financial support and countless volunteer hours to local charitable organizations.
SIMMONS HANLY CONROY LLC is a leading national law firm in complex litigation and represents clients throughout the country on issues involving consumer protection rights, class actions and contingent-fee commercial litigation. With 70 attorneys in five offices across the country, the firm is dedicated to its clients and has pledged nearly $20 million to cancer research. Additionally, the firm focuses on intellectual property infringement, pharmaceutical injury litigation and toxic exposure. For more information, visit https://www.simmonsfirm.com.
