Ron Bracewell and Jeff Terry, MD, co-chairs of the 26th Annual Medical Center Open Golf Tournament, announced that today’s golf tournament raised $262,082 for Gateway Domestic Violence Center. 100 percent of the proceeds will go directly to their “Gateway to 2020 Campaign” a $2 million capital campaign to build a new domestic abuse shelter.
Funds from today’s tournament will allow for the construction and furnishing of a counseling suite. The suite will include six support group rooms at Gateway’s new shelter facility, and depending on construction costs, potentially a dining room.
“What a beautiful day with fantastic results. We are happy and honored to present these funds to Gateway! By supporting this organization we are helping families in a very personal and profound way,” says Bracewell. “Gateway’s need for a new facility is critical. Since the shelter was built in 1983, our area’s population has increased over 140 percent. Their current facility simply cannot support that much growth – and local women and children experiencing the devastating effects of domestic abuse desperately need a safe place to go and heal.”
“What a blessing our community’s generous spirit is,” added Nancy Colston, president and chief development officer of The Medical Center Foundation. “Domestic violence is a public health issue we rarely want to think or talk about, but it impacts roughly one in four women. I am so proud to witness, firsthand, the community rallying around this important cause through the Medical Center Open, and playing an active role in making a new shelter a reality.”
Jessica Butler, the executive director of Gateway joins Colston in her praise of the community’s support of this initiative. “What a great community event! This year’s partnership with The Medical Center Foundation will help create an environment for healthy, self-sufficient growth and violence prevention. Everyone participating today is helping to create an environment where Gateway’s women and children can live safely in their homes.”
Butler continues, “I am also so thankful for The Medical Center Foundation. Year after year, the Foundation’s Medical Center Open partners with local non-profits to support health initiatives in the community. That kind of commitment is so important to the area’s overall health and the community has benefitted many times over because of their tireless efforts.”
Since 1997, the Medical Center Open has raised more than $3.5 million to support community health improvement initiatives. In addition to the fundraising efforts of the Open, it was a great day for golf at Chicopee Woods Golf Course. This year’s top prize, the Woody Stewart Trophy, was awarded to Cliff Oliver, Chris England, Sam Hulsey and Casey Maney with the low gross score of the day.
The Medical Center Open was supported by premier sponsor Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and McGarity’s Business Products/ Xerox Corporation, who sponsored the 19th Hole Reception. With more than 200 sponsors, more than 200 players and 100 volunteers, it was a fun day that will change lives by supporting Gateway’s vision of meeting all the basic needs of domestic violence survivors in our community.
To learn more about The Medical Center Foundation, its events, giving clubs, or to donate visit www.TheMedicalCenterFoundation.org.
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