Little City golf invitational sets fundraising record
The 46th Annual Little City Invitational Golf Tournament on Aug. 24 set a new fundraising mark for both the tournament and Little City. An early estimate puts the total funds raised at more than $400,000, which tops last year's previous record total of $375,000.
That's good news for the organization preparing to celebrate 50 years of groundbreaking services to people with disabilities.
"This is an amazing accomplishment in today's economy," said Long Grove resident Ed Hockfield, executive vice president of Little City's board of directors and one of the chairs for the golf event.
"Members of our golf committee and myself have participated in several nonprofit golf events this year, and nearly every one of them has seen a reduction in golfers or fundraising from previous years. We were apprehensive about ours as well, but we have exceeded even our wildest expectations."
Hockfield believes a major motivating factor for potential players was the man honored with the prestigious Morrie Kellman Humanitarian Award - Larry Richman, president and CEO of PrivateBancorp, Inc., and The Private Bank-Chicago, a wholly owned subsidiary of PrivateBancorp.
The award is presented to a person who exemplifies Kellman's ideals of passionately supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and other humanitarian efforts.
"Larry is a strong believer in philanthropic causes, and because of that he has a lot of friends who support him for his efforts," Hockfield said. "The success of this year's event is as much a tribute to the people who believe in Larry's humanitarian efforts as it is to those who support Little City."
"I believe we selected the right person for the right time," added Shawn Jeffers, executive director for Little City. "Larry Richman is a man who has touched and made a difference in many lives over the years."
Richman, a resident of Arlington Heights, was introduced by Bruce Lubin, a Long Grove resident and himself a past award winner. Lubin was also one of the three chairs, with Hockfield and Marcus Montanye of Clarendon Hills.
"It is a great honor to be recognized by Little City, which truly is an amazing organization with a rich heritage of helping the developmentally disabled," Richman said. "I am pleased I was able to play a small role in helping them continue to succeed."
More than 280 golfers registered to participate in the Little City Invitational, one of the oldest nonprofit tournaments in the country. The invitational was held at Twin Orchard Country Club in Long Grove.
Prior to the dinner, the audience was entertained by two songs performed by Jerry Rose, a resident of Little City. Several of Little City's Special Olympics golf team also attended the event as special guests.
The invitational supports the Palatine-based Little City Foundation, which provides services and programs, including residential care, for children and adults with disabilities. The agency will celebrate its 50th year of providing services in October.