Over the past several decades, Virginia Gaston and group of folks in Aurora had long been part of organizations that helped foster kids. Then, in the year 2017, they decided to get even more serious.
And now look.
For The Kids, a 501c-3 not-for-profit, is making a significant difference by assisting foster kids as soon as they enter the system — and you can help even in small ways.
After all, For the Kids is among this year’s nearly 50 Ozarks children’s charities of the PGA Korn Ferry Tour’s Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper, which has gifted nearly $17.4 million in its 32-year history.
Among the PCCC’s numerous sponsorship opportunities is the TLC Properties Charity Sweepstakes, in which a $25 donation to For the Kids – or any tournament charity – will give you a 1-in-8,000 chance to win a 2021 Toyota Tundra or $10,000. You also will have a chance to win one of 125 daily prizes during the tournament, set for July 22-25 at Highland Springs Country Club in Springfield. The ticket also will serve as a four-day grounds pass to see the future of the PGA Tour.
That could be significant. For The Kids serves Barry, Lawrence and Stone counties with this important mission: to provide clothing, diapers, shoes, toiletries and other essentials to foster and relative placement children. All items are free.
As Lynette Bailey noted, there are more than 600 children in foster care in the counties it serves.
“Children coming into the system usually arrive at the foster home with nothing but the clothes on their backs,” said Bailey, Treasurer of For the Kids. “The foster care system takes weeks before funding is allotted and is limited.
“Therefore, support by our organization is in the form of physical, mental and financial,” Bailey added. “For the Kids steps in immediately to provide the necessities for the children and foster families. Additionally, we provide baby/kids furniture, school supplies/backpacks and presents for the children at Christmas.”
For more than 25 years, folks involved in For the Kids had operated as a chapter of other organizations. Virginia Gaston had put in a considerable amount of work in the program. In late 2017, they formed For the Kids.
In the summer of 2020, Bailey spotted a news story about the PCCC, which gladly welcomed For the Kids just weeks before the tournament.
Now, with a full summer to fund-raise, the outlook is optimistic. In addition to the $25 sweepstakes ticket, businesses can aid the charity other ways through the tournament: on-course sponsorships, skyboxes, banners and more. Managed by the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, the tournament also offers nearly a dozen golf experiences, such as pro-ams, which are held at some of the top courses in the Ozarks. Visit www.pricecuttercc.org for more information, or call the tournament at 417-887-3400.
In November, the PCCC will distribute funds. In recent years, the tournament has gifted roughly $950,000 annually.
“It will help us raise money to purchase a building of our own, and the tournament advertisement will also help spread the word about our organization and the need in the community,” Bailey said. “We have had to move our clothing closet at least 10 times over last 25 years, as the building we were using sold or because it was unusable. We hope to be able to purchase our own building so we can continue to meet the growing needs of these children.”
WAYS TO ASSIST A SPORTING CHANCE:
$25 — TLC PROPERTIES CHARITY SWEEPSTAKES
PRO-AM GOLF EXPERIENCES
Play with a pro & enjoy top courses such as Highland Springs, Buffalo Ridge Golf Course, LedgeStone Country Club, Millwood Golf & Racquet Club & Fremont Hills Country Club. Includes a great golfer gift package, continental breakfast, lunch, on-course beverages, team photos & trophies. Check out our list of golf experiences
GOLF BALL & CHARITY AUCTION
Sponsored by Copy Products Inc., this event is on Tuesday, July 19 We’ll also have electronic bidding at bidpal.net!
THE ULTIMATE presented by Ridewell Suspensions
The Ultimate sponsorship means air-conditioned seating on the 18th green and a chance to win a Corvette Stingray.
Win a 2021 Corvette Stingray, as a $1,200 buy-in guarantees a 1-in-100 chance of winning the car and a 1-in-10 chance of winning $1,000. You’ll also receive many other perks, including air-conditioned seating on the 18th green during the PCCC along with clubhouse parking, a luxurious dinner on Friday, July 16 at Highland Springs Country Club as well as breakfast and lunch in the clubhouse daily during the PCCC, plus his and her shirts.
BE A SPONSOR AT THE TOURNAMENT
We offer numerous sponsorships all over the course. Check them out!
NAMI NEON 5K RUN
Join us Saturday, Aug. 21 for the inaugural NAMI Neon Night 5K Run/Walk for Suicide Prevention. It’s at Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park in west Springfield. This event will in part benefit the National Alliance on Mental Illness-Southwest Missouri. Register here.
ROCKIN’ ROLL BIKE AND MUSIC FESTIVAL
PRESENTED BY RELIABLE HYUNDAI
Turn out on Saturday, October 9 at the Riff. Not only ride in the afternoon on rides of 40, 20 or 10 miles but stay for the dinner and concert! All supporting Music Therapy of the Ozarks. Sign up at bikeandmusicfest.org
FOR ANY SPONSORSHIP, CALL 417-887-3400