Playing for a Cause: Fifth Annual Hunt Construction Group, an AECOM Company Charity Golf Outing a Success

Overcast skies and chilly temperatures during the Fifth Annual Hunt Construction Group Charity Golf Outing held at Eagle Creek Golf Club on September 11, 2014, could not prevent the occasion from being a fun-filled, successful day. Assistance League® of Indianapolis was honored to be selected by Hunt Construction Group, an AECOM company, for the fourth time as the designated charity to receive the net proceeds from this yearly event. These funds will benefit Assistance League’s largest program, Operation School Bell ®, .as well as its other philanthropic programs:  Shoes: A Division of Operation School Bell,  ALI Bears, ALI Friends, and Assault Survivor Kits®.  Established in 1984, Operation School Bell provides new clothing and school supplies to qualifying elementary school students from Indianapolis Public Schools and the surrounding Indianapolis area townships of Lawrence, Pike, Warren, and Washington.

Event Chairmen Kathy Kerr Wylam and Cindee Potterack spent weeks planning and organizing to make it a day full of entertainment for the participants. They were assisted by a cast of talented Assistance League members who served on the golf event committee. Barb Zurek, Sandy Speer, and Barbara Rominger coordinated the breakfast items. Pat Deyhle and Susie Main organized the special-drink tables while Lynne Hurlbut was in charge of the flowers. Lori Morthalnd and Lesley Pascoe worked on the Gift Card Bouquet. Carol Valentine put together three golf teams to represent Assistance League. Jane Vawter coordinated the event volunteers. The raffle team was comprised of Carol Gambrel, Jill Tanner, Karen Snider, and Barb Diehl. Cathy Weimer and Kathy Knight were in charge of games. Photos were taken by Kim Reitnauer and the outing was promoted to the public by Barbara Kulsrud and Julie Yates.

From the very beginning of the day, there were many opportunities for the golfers to enjoy themselves.  The Tipsy Toss proved to be very popular as onlookers cheered on the winners who, for a donation, successfully threw plastic rings on liquor bottles in order to win. Golfers could also make a contribution to enjoy cigars donated by Blend Cigar Bar. Sidney Frank Importing, Granite City Foods & Brewery, and Hoosier Momma Cocktail Makers set up tents to dispense complimentary libations to teams involved in the tournament. For a donation, two golf pros, Elliot Elger from Woodland Country Club and Scott Rockwell from Eagle Creek Golf Club, were available to hit drives for the golfing groups. 

Chances to win one or more of  90 Birdie raffle prizes ranging from restaurant gift cards to golf bags were available throughout the day.  Tickets to win Eagle raffle prizes which included four suite tickets to an Indianapolis Colts game; one night stay in the Indianapolis Conrad Hotel including spa and restaurant gift cards; Paddock Penthouse seats to the 2015 Indy 500 including $100 gift card to Marsh; one night French Lick getaway package with gift cards for gas and restaurants; and a JW Marriott two night stay with parking and restaurant gift card were offered.  Golfers could also win a Gift Card Bouquet of 18 gift cards from area businesses.

During registration, the 180 golfers who played in the scramble competition enjoyed homemade baked goods by member volunteers of Assistance League and drank hot coffee supplied by Julian Coffee Roaster. In commemoration of September 11, bag piper Dave Galloway, husband of member Jan Galloway, played “My Country Tis of Thee”.  Eleven members of Assistance League played in the tournament forming three foursomes: Nancy Bennett, Linda Buckner, Rose Conrad, Barb Diehl, Marilyn Elder, Norma Hodges, Pat Lyddan, Leslie Pascoe, Judy Powell, Laura Sanfrey, and Carol Valentine. They were joined by friend of Assistance League, Barb McConnell.

Indianapolis Mayor, Greg Ballard, arrived at the event and thanked Assistance League of Indianapolis for the support they give to disadvantaged students through Operation School Bell. Mayor Ballard stated he was grateful for companies such as Hunt Construction and organizations like Assistance League that are involved in the Indianapolis community helping adults and children in need. He cited that over the past 30 years Assistance league has served over 45,000 children by providing school clothing, winter coats, and other needed new supplies to students. Ken Johnson, Executive Vice President, Division Manager from Hunt, presented Assistance League with a check for $25,507. The total amount raised by this event was $28,080. President of Assistance League, Gloria Slama, stated, "On behalf of the thousands of children and adults that we serve throughout Central Indiana, we would like to thank Hunt Construction Group for selecting Assistance League of Indianapolis as the designated charity for their 2014 Charitable Golf Outing.  As a community-based philanthropic organization, our corporate partnership with Hunt has been invaluable. Their generous donations over the years have allowed us to expand the reach of our four philanthropic programs."

Assistance League of Indianapolis is extremely grateful for Hunt Construction Group’s generosity in designating the proceeds from this event to benefit the philanthropic programs of Assistance League. To read more about Hunt Construction Group's support of Assistance League, visit the Hunt Construction Group website by clicking Here