Flanked by summer storms, the 24th Annual TradeWinds Golf Scramble for Kids was timed perfectly to take advantage of blue skies and sunshine at Briar Ridge Country Club in Schererville.
Supporting the agency’s mission of serving people with special needs by empowering them to realize their full potential, TradeWinds Board members, staff and children from Summer Camp welcomed 147 golfers to the event. Following a hearty picnic-style buffet lunch, golfers enjoyed 18-holes of competitive golf, an informal cocktail hour sponsored by Community Healthcare System and a sit-down dinner program that culminated in the awarding of a trip to Pebble Beach with special thanks to Lexus of Merrillville who has made this incredible opportunity via the Lexus Champions for Charity program available through TradeWinds for the past three years.
“We’ve dealt with storms the last couple of years so it was great to have everyone off the course before it started raining again,” Jeff Strack, a TradeWinds Board member who has served as the Golf Scramble for Kids committee chairman for the last 15 years, said. “Either way, when you have people coming together in support of the program for children with disabilities at TradeWinds, it’s going to be a great day.”
“Jeff truly leads by example,” Jim Dye, TradeWinds Board President, said. “Along with his efforts to coordinate cash and prize donations, Jeff makes sure everything runs smoothly for the golfers throughout the day. He’s been a longtime supporter of the TradeWinds mission. In addition to raising money for the kids during the Golf Scramble, Jeff works with us throughout the year to build awareness of TradeWinds, and all the services we provide for individuals with disabilities.”
Thanks to the contributions of many generous sponsors, donors and golfers, the 2015 Golf Scramble for Kids helps support Child Care and Summer Camp at TradeWinds. Staffed by degreed teachers, trained teachers’ assistants and a full-time onsite nurse for added peace of mind, Tradewinds welcomes children of all abilities and provides speech, hearing and occupational therapy services as well as specialized care for children requiring tube feeding, medications, behavior support and more.
Along with making a measurable difference in the lives of children with special needs, this outstanding day featured a number of opportunities for participants to take home special awards and raffle prizes. While everyone received a complimentary photo of their foursome on the course provided by Bosak Motors with photography by John Hopkins of the Hopkins Agency, foursomes from NIPSCO, Albert’s Diamond Jewelers and Impact Sales won golf trophies while Theresa Nicksic took home the Lexus Champions for Charity grand prize.
Look for TradeWinds Services, Inc. online at tradewindsnwi.org and on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.