Golf Tournaments Raise Needed Funds

Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation's programs and services have been made possible over the years by amazing fundraising events and thousands of generous and dedicated individuals. Golf tournaments are a fun and popular way to raise funds for burn survivors programs.

One such tournament is the South San Francisco Professional Firefighters and Genentech Golf Tournament, which held its 21st tournament on May 29, 2008, at the Green Hills Country Club. Anthony and Vicki Ottoboni have been the team directing the tournament for the past six years. They expect to raise more than $40,000 this year.

"For the past four or five years we have oversold the tournament," said Anthony, a South San Francisco firefighter. "It is a full day event. We have companies that donate beverages and all three meals. Everyone in the department helps one way or another."

Another successful tournament is the Diamond Bar Golf Tournament, which last year donated more than $45,000. Ken and Toni Hewett have been organizing the tournament for 26 years.

"We are known for our great prizes and sponsors," says Ken of the tournament. "We sell out to 144 golfers by mid-August." This year's event will be on September 22 at the Via Verde Country Club. In addition to funds raised from golf, there is a raffle and silent auction at the tournament. This year's auction will have autographed NFL paraphernalia among its offerings.

Ken was formerly a police officer in Arcadia and became involved with AARBF after seeing how much AARBF helped the family of a firefighter friend who died from a burn. He said one of the best things he's gotten out of organizing the golf tournament is a friendship with the Ruch family, many of whom attend the golf tournament each year.

AARBF salutes all the golf tournament committee members and participants, including Alameda County Golf Tournament, Bailie Open Golf Tournament, Harvest Christian Golf, Chevron Golf Tournament, Chili's Capitola Golf Tournament, Diamond Bar Golf Tournament, Inland Empire Golf Tournament, Palm Desert Golf Tournament, Santa Clara Memorial Golf Tournament and South San Francisco Charity Golf Tournament. Our heartfelt thanks to you all!

Also in this issue:
Countless Hours, Priceless Work
Be a Guest Blogger
Firefighters in Safety Education Teaches Families Via Students