The 24th Annual Speedway Golf Tournament is the largest single-day golf fundraising event for the charity.
More than 700 golfers raised over $2 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals during the 24th Annual Speedway Miracle Celebration and Tournament, the centerpiece of Speedway LLC’s annual fundraising efforts.
Recently held in Dayton, Ohio, the tournament raised this record-breaking amount to support 19 children’s hospitals. This year the event, which is the largest single-day golf fundraising event for CMN Hospitals, welcomed golf legend Jack Nicklaus and his wife, Barbara, along with Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev.
“This event is so much more than a golf tournament,” said John Lauck, president and CEO of CMN Hospitals. “Players meet the kids who directly benefit from the funds they help raise. They see first-hand how their generosity helps member hospitals fund critical treatments, purchase medical equipment designed just for kids and provide charitable care. We are grateful to Speedway and their unwavering commitment to raise awareness and funds for kids in their communities.”
The event kicked-off with a dinner that included various activities such as a medal ceremony for the Speedway Miracle Children, who benefit from donations to member hospitals, along with an art auction. The art auction included six pieces of art created by a few of the miracle children and raised $47,000! One artist, 16-year-old Mariah Cornett, was diagnosed with anaplastic larges cell lymphoma and treated at Dayton Children’s Hospital. Her masterpiece, “Magical People,” caught the eye of supporter and donor Tom Wengerter of Unilever Ice Cream, who purchased the happy and colorful piece for $20,000.
“We value the kids, and we know that the money raised for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is being spent thoughtfully to help kids and families,” Wengerter said. “As we watch this event grow every year, it is easy to see that there are no limits on what can be accomplished.”
Special guests Jack and Barbara Nicklaus hosted a wine-tasting event and auction during Speedway’s Celebration and Tournament. The Nicklaus Companies have been involved with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals on a national level, and graciously partnered with Speedway to further assist with this very worthwhile cause.
Since 1991, Speedway has raised more than $68 million for CMN Hospitals through a variety of initiatives primarily including canister and icon campaigns in the stores, bowl-a-thons and employee payroll deduction programs.
“There is no greater cause than helping the kids in our own backyards,” said Tony Kenney, president of Speedway. “Through the generosity of our employees, customers and vendor partners, we are able to ensure that the children in our local communities receive the care they need through our support of CMN Hospitals.”
