Over $65K Raised by Charity Golf Event to Benefit Hattie Larlham
Over $65K Raised by Charity Golf Event to Benefit Hattie Larlham
A tradition of giving that began in 1986 continued August 17 at the Sugar Bush Golf Club in Garrettsville, where 184 golfers gathered to raise over $65,000 for Hattie Larlham. The 2020 event brings the total proceeds of the Sugar Bush Golf Classic to more than $1,075,000 to benefit the child and adult residents at the organization’s Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) in Mantua.
This year the event, typically hosted in May, was rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosting the event later in the year allowed the planning committee to develop health and safety protocols for the 2020 outing that would help ensure the safety of everyone in attendance. Among the changes made was the institution of tee-times over the typical shotgun-style start, take-away boxed meals at the end of each round, and a virtual awards ceremony hosted two days following the outing.
Hattie Larlham was honored to welcome the return of The Middlefield Banking Company (Middlefield Bank) as the presenting sponsor of the golf classic. Tom Caldwell, President and CEO of Middlefield Bank, came out to support the cause. “We are proud to sponsor The Sugar Bush Golf Classic,” Tom said. It is an opportunity to raise both funds and awareness to advance Hattie Larlham’s mission.” Over the years, the money raised has funded services to the medically fragile people who live at the Hattie Larlham Center for Children with Disabilities, as well as facility repairs, a community special needs toys lending library, an adaptive sensory playground and nature walk, a transitional ventilator program and the Hattie’s Creative Arts program. This year’s proceeds will help fund the ongoing need to replace the specialty beds residents rely on for safe and comfortable sleep.
“The planning committee worked incredibly hard this year to make sure this event was safe and successful in the midst of the pandemic,” said Hattie Larlham CEO Stephen Colecchi. “Many committee members have ties that go back to the beginning of the Classic. We’re grateful for their leadership in rallying the community to support Hattie Larlham and their adaptability in rising to the unique challenges presented this year.” The 2020 Sugar Bush Golf Planning Committee Membership included: Committee Chair Charles “CJ” Milo, winner of the 2013 Northern Ohio Golf Association’s Tournament of Champions, Bruce Abraham, owner of Charles Auto Family, Hattie Larlham CEO Stephen Colecchi, Okey Ekechi (Hattie Larlham), Judge Joseph Giulitto, Attorney Mike Giulitto (Giulitto Law Office), Attorney Dan Glessner (Brouse McDowell), Cristina González Alcalá, Ph.D (Akron Community Foundation), and Lisa Muldowney (Middlefield Bank).
Colecchi also noted that the event would not have been possible without the support and effort of all the volunteers, and the Koval family, who owns and operates the Sugar Bush Golf Club. “Sugar Bush is a beautiful setting and the staff went to great lengths to ensure that this year’s event was safe and enjoyable for golfers, volunteers, and staff. We are deeply appreciative of their support and the accommodations they made. The funds they have helped us raise have impacted hundreds of our residents through the years.”
Additional sponsors of the event included Baird, The Cleveland Indians, TPI Efficiency, and Printing Concepts, as well as many other local businesses who contributed monetary and in-kind donations of food, beverages, and prizes.