There is nothing quite like the heart-warming smile of a proud mom. And the best example may be Silvia Espinosa.
You see, her three daughters couldn’t have attended programs at the Springfield-Greene County Park Board without donations to the organization’s Scholarship Fund. And the Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper played a role.
All three learned to swim at the Chesterfield Family Center. One of the daughters gained confidence through dance lessons at the Doling Family Center.
“We are so thankful for the scholarships my three daughters received. They would not have been able to benefit from these learning experiences if we didn’t have the funding for it,” Espinosa said. “It puts this mom at ease knowing they were not only getting physically fit but also learning personal safety, how to follow directions while building social skills!”
Now here’s your chance again to help children such as the Espinosa daughters and the Springfield-Greene County Park Board Scholarship Fund. The Price Cutter tournament, a PGA Web.com Tour stop, returns this August at Highland Springs a year after generating $1 million-plus for local children’s charities.
More on the Scholarship Fund in a second, but here’s how to help:
SUPPORTING THE PCCC = SUPPORTING CHARITIES
- HELP THE SPRINGFIELD-GREENE COUNTY PARK BOARD SCHOLARSHIP FUND: The Park Board offers numerous youth athletic and recreational programs, but a number of kids’ families need financial assistance for registration fees. Scholarships may be available for kids 18 and under who live in Springfield or Greene County and meet income guidelines. Call 864-1049 or go to parkboard.org.
- FOR GOLF FANS, WIN PRIZES: The purchase of a $25 TLC Properties Charity Sweepstakes ticket means chances to grand prizes such as a 2015 Ford Mustang and $10,000 as well as 500 daily prizes such as restaurant gift cards. The ticket also is a four-day pass to the PCCC on Aug. 13-16 at Highland Springs Country Club. Contact the local charity of your choice, simply because they revenue directly from the TLC Property Charity Sweepstakes tickets marked with their names.
- BUSINESS SPONSORSHIPS: Businesses can support the PCCC through various sponsorships, such as the daily newsletter, website or through several events such as a dozen Pro-Ams. Additionally, restaurants, clothing stores and entertainment stops are asked to donate gift cards with at least a $25 value in the name of your charity of choice to benefit them in the Golf Ball Charity Auction.
- CONTACT: Call the Price Cutter Charity Championship staff at 417-887-3400. The tournament is Aug. 7-17 at Highland Springs Country Club, with the pros beginning play on Aug. 13.
About the Springfield-Greene County Park Board Scholarship Fund
If you wonder if the Scholarship Fund truly makes a difference, look no further than the Espinosa family.
“They were also able to learn how to responsibly ride and care for a horse at the Valley Water Mill Equestrian Center,” Silvia Espinosa said of her three daughters. “This was such a pleasurable experience for them that they are eagerly anticipating next year when there is more scholarship funds available, so they can reapply and continue their horseback riding lessons.”
The Springfield-Greene County Park Board has been around for more than 100 years and was established in 1913, building its profile to the point that it has earned a positive, national reputation.
Not only can your kids play in a sports league such as baseball or volleyball, but the Park Board also offers a ton of other fun activities such summer camps, after-school programs, zoo education, dance, archery, martial arts, golf, tennis, canoe and kayak rentals and much, much more.
As the Springfield community grows, requests for scholarships continue to increase. The Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk and the Price Cutter Charity Championship are the two largest sources of funding for the Scholarship Fund.
In 2013, more than 900 scholarships were awarded, allowing kids to take part in sports, summer camp and other youth programs designed the build skills and confidence while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
The Price Cutter golf tournament’s contributions help families such as the Espinosas to cover a few more dollars in their program applications.
“The dollars we get for the Scholarship Fund are a huge impact to us and the community,” Park Board marketing coordinator Diana Tyndall said of the PCCC donations. “However, the requests for scholarships often are greater than the funding, which is the other side of the story.”