"It did seem strange that no one had done it yet," said Amy Schneider, of the Planned Giving Committee and Fowler White Boggs Banker employee. According to Schneider, Northwestern Mutual's Kevin Lawhon had organized a successful golf tournament to raise funds for Liberty Youth Ranch. He modeled the American Red Cross - Collier County Chapter golf tournament on that event. The result was over $20,000 raised to address local needs. "That's the whole point," said Schneider. "To raise awareness about the need to support the local chapter."
Held at the exclusive Club at Twin Eagles, the tournament was followed by a silent auction and awards luncheon. Auction items included Nike Slingshot Irons, a tee time at Olde Cypress Golf and Country Club and dinner at Fleming's. Items that might be purchased with the monies raised include satellite phones to directly contact EMS and other items to prepare for the area's next hurricane.
Eighty-eight golfers participated in the event. What set this charity golf tournament apart from the plethora that already occur in Collier County? The goodies, according to Schneider, citing complementary shirts and goodie bags for participants. "They'll keep getting surprised at how much they keep getting," she said. "It's been first class all the way."
Additional uses for the funds include the Red Cross's many community classes, including adult CPR training, lifeguard training and "Babysitting Bootcamp." "We have over 700 volunteers," said White, proudly.
In addition to Fowler White Boggs Banker, sponsors included Brown & Brown, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, Bond Schoeneck & King, Northern Trust Bank of Florida, The Ron Rucker Team, The Bob Schneider Team, U.S. Trust Company, Cox & Nici, International College, Comerica Bank, Gilbraltar Private Bank, Berry Day McFee & Martin, Bonita Bay Group, North Naples Journal and n Magazine.
For more information visit www.colliercountyredcross.org.