Posted 3:47 am Tuesday, May 01, 2012
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Charity Sets New Record For Donations
By TIM MONZINGO
Staff Writer
A day of golfing gave way to a record-setting donation to East Texas children's charities Monday.
Staff Writer
A day of golfing gave way to a record-setting donation to East Texas children's charities Monday.
That money came from golfers, companies and auction items at the 24th Annual Brookshire's Benefit Golf Tournament.
“This event has continuously grown,” Brookshire's Grocery Co-mpany spokesman Sam Anderson said. “The vendors enjoy getting together and they've been very supportive.”
This year, the vendors whose goods are found at the company's store, racked up $375,000 for the charities, which included the Children's Miracle Network, Champions for Children, the East Texas Crisis Center and the Children's Advocacy Center.
“This event has continuously grown,” Brookshire's Grocery Co-mpany spokesman Sam Anderson said. “The vendors enjoy getting together and they've been very supportive.”
This year, the vendors whose goods are found at the company's store, racked up $375,000 for the charities, which included the Children's Miracle Network, Champions for Children, the East Texas Crisis Center and the Children's Advocacy Center.
Anderson said more than 100 charities will benefit from the money raised by more than 540 people who competed at five different tournaments at five golf courses around Tyler.
That's money that Robin Ro-wan, director of Children's Miracle Network, said is much appreciated by those it goes to help.
That's money that Robin Ro-wan, director of Children's Miracle Network, said is much appreciated by those it goes to help.
“The way (Brookshire's) gives back to the children's charities is really amazing,” she said. “We're very grateful for their support.”
Ms. Rowan pointed out that many of the people who attend the benefit year after year aren't Tyler residents or even East Texans. Many of them come to support the benefit just because of who puts it on and what it represents.
“That just speaks to what the Brookshire name means,” she said.
Ms. Rowan pointed out that many of the people who attend the benefit year after year aren't Tyler residents or even East Texans. Many of them come to support the benefit just because of who puts it on and what it represents.
“That just speaks to what the Brookshire name means,” she said.
Ultimately, many East Texas charities rely on that large donation to help them provide the resources they have to the families who need it.
Cindy Brady, the Children's Advocacy Center's development director, said the money is essential to its well being as a nonprofit.
“It's huge for us,” she said. “We don't get the opportunity to bring in tens of thousands of dollars all the time.”
The center's newest executive director, Ezell Ingelise, moved to Tyler roughly a month ago.
Since then, she said she's seen a community that seems to care deeply about its charitable organizations and children.
The benefit showed that it goes beyond the people and even into the businesses in the region as well, she said.
Anderson said the company is glad to have the pull to be able to do something so expansive.
“We feel very blessed that we're in a position to put on this tournament and garner the kind of support we have,” he said.
This year's tournament exceeded the $350,000 raised during last year's benefit, but if CEO Rick Rayford has anything to say about it, it won't stop there.
To applause and cheers, he expressed his appreciation to the vendors and golfers who came out while encouraging them to keep up the good philanthropic work.
“I know with your support, we can raise in excess of $400,000 next year,” he said.
Cindy Brady, the Children's Advocacy Center's development director, said the money is essential to its well being as a nonprofit.
“It's huge for us,” she said. “We don't get the opportunity to bring in tens of thousands of dollars all the time.”
The center's newest executive director, Ezell Ingelise, moved to Tyler roughly a month ago.
Since then, she said she's seen a community that seems to care deeply about its charitable organizations and children.
The benefit showed that it goes beyond the people and even into the businesses in the region as well, she said.
Anderson said the company is glad to have the pull to be able to do something so expansive.
“We feel very blessed that we're in a position to put on this tournament and garner the kind of support we have,” he said.
This year's tournament exceeded the $350,000 raised during last year's benefit, but if CEO Rick Rayford has anything to say about it, it won't stop there.
To applause and cheers, he expressed his appreciation to the vendors and golfers who came out while encouraging them to keep up the good philanthropic work.
“I know with your support, we can raise in excess of $400,000 next year,” he said.
