37th Annual Tower Classic Golf Tournament Raises Over $35,000 for Johns Hopkins Children’s Center in Baltimore
[Laurel, MD]— Twin sisters Elle and Emme Thomas, the 2019 Children’s Miracle Network Champions for Maryland, were delivered 25 weeks premature on September 30, 2016 at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center (JHCC) in Baltimore. Both girls were born with brain bleeds, and, while Elle’s bleed healed on its own, Emme developed hydrocephalus, resulting in several brain surgeries and other serious health issues.
Now almost three years old, Elle and Emme have made remarkable progress and were special guests, along with their parents Kevin and Charissa, at the 37th Annual Tower Classic Golf Tournament held June 7 at Renditions Golf Club in Davidsonville, Md. The tournament, hosted by the TowerCares Foundation, raised over $35,000 for JHCC, Baltimore’s local Children’s Miracle Network hospital.
“An important part of the TowerCares mission is to help children in need,” said Rick Stafford, TowerCares Foundation President. “We are proud once again to support the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center for their dedication to children like Elle and Emme, and their families, and for the tireless care the Center provides children struggling with injuries and illness. We appreciate the Thomas family coming out and sharing their incredible story with us.”
Over 100 golfers participated in this year’s tournament, which included a full day of golf, lunch, contests and prizes. Event proceeds from players, sponsors, and donations from the business community totaled $21,375. An additional $10,000 was provided through CO-OP Financial Services’ Miracle Match program, a philanthropic matching program that encourages credit unions to create and participate in local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ fundraisers. Tower Federal Credit Union donated $4,000 bringing the day’s total donation to $35,375. The money for Tower Federal’s donation was raised earlier this year by employees and members during the credit union’s annual “Have a Heart” campaign.
“The success of the Tower Classic would not be possible without the generosity of the golfers, tournament sponsors, vendors, and volunteers,” Stafford says, noting that the spirit of generosity was especially evident during the tournament when the winners of the fire pit raffle package and a Renditions gift card donated them back to the Thomas family. The winner of the 50/50 drawing also returned his portion of the proceeds back to TowerCares. “Everyone at the tournament was in the spirit of giving and supporting the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center for the critical work that they do to help children in need.”
Al Smith, TowerCares Foundation Secretary, gave a special thanks to Tower Federal Credit Union for their donation, “A heartfelt thank you goes out to Tower Federal members and employees for their continued support of TowerCares’ mission through the annual Have a Heart campaign and other employee-led fundraisers that take place throughout the year. Tower Federal is a generous long-time supporter of JHCC and the Children’s Miracle Network, and an ardent supporter of the TowerCares Foundation.”