The event includes a four-person golf scramble followed by a banquet, as well as silent and live auctions, from which all net proceeds will be donated to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund (IMSFF).
This is the first year Novus International Inc. has participated in the event and is a Bronze Star Sponsor donating $5,000.
IMSFF started in 2004, works with injured Marines and sailors and their families. They assist with travel, food and lodging expenses, as well as unpaid work leave. The IMSFF has raised more than $29 million to assist more than 3,000 service members.
“The Fund helps cover some of the extra expenses that the injured Marines and their families inevitably incur,” said George Halenkamp, Missouri Friends of Injured Marines Board of Directors member and Novus International employee. "While Novus is primarily an animal health and nutrition company, our corporate mission of sustainability includes helping others."
Howard Short, M.D., started the Missouri Friends of Injured Marines (MFIM) when a friend told him about the formation of an organization (IMSFF) that would help pay for various expenses the families of injured Marines incur. Dr. Short started spreading the world and a group was formed to help make a major contribution.
“As of 2007, this golf event in Missouri was the largest single contributor to [IMSFF],” said Short. MFIM has contributed $93,000, $145,000, $193,000 and $154,000 in its first four years respectively.
This year, MFIM hopes to raise $150,000, which will be a challenge, due to the economic recession. Many corporate sponsors have already had to cut back on the amount of money they donate, which generally accounts for 60-80% of the money raised.
“We hope to make up for [the loss of corporate sponsorships]
One way MFIM hopes to accomplish this is enabling their website, www.semperfigolf.com, to accept on-line donations. Also available on their website are forms for donating items to be auctioned off at the banquet following the golf tournament and golf team sign up forms.
This year’s highlighted auction gift is a package of four airline tickets for a weekend getaway at a private vacation home in Bear Creek, Colo.
“Just about everybody that goes to the banquet one year comes back the next year,” said Halenkamp. Guest speakers at the evening banquet, starting at 5:30 p.m., help to create an emotional and memorable experience for all those in attendance.
Speakers this year include Lt. Gen. Dennis Hejlek and Lance Corporal Brandon Pelletier. Lt. Gen. Hejlek is the Commander of the 1st Marines Expeditionary Force, one of the largest fighting Marine units it the world.
Lance Corporal Pelletier’s right elbow and main nerves were crushed while in Iraq and he has been at Barnes Jewish Hospital since April 2009. Through medical treatment, Pelletier hopes to regain feeling and movement in his arm to avoid needing a transplant or prosthetic.
Also in attendance will be Karen Guenther and Wendy Lethin, co-founders of IMSFF.
For additional information about the Missouri Friends of Injured Marines Golf Outing, or to make a donation, please visit www.semperfigolf.com or contact Reggie Thorpe at 314-402-9631 or comsnr@swbell.net.
