Mayors’ Charity Golf Classic raises $150,000 for Image is Everything

After the dust had settled on a beautiful day of 18 holes in the 2011 Mayors’ Charity Golf Classic Tuesday, event co-chairs, Jim Witty and Bill Collier, were excited to announce that this year’s tournament was a huge success having raised an amazing $150,000 in support of Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital and its Image is Everything campaign.

“This is our 16th year and it is very exciting to continue such a successful tournament and through this to be able to make such a significant contribution to our local hospital,” says Mr. Collier. “The Image is Everything campaign has truly captured the imagination of this community, so we are pleased to be able to once again contribute tobringing an MRI unit to Ajax and Pickering."

This special occasion is also an opportunity for the Rouge Valley Health System Foundation to announce the recipient of the Howard Sokolowski Award, presented to an individual who has shown dedication to health care in the community. This year’s recipient is Sherry Robinson, a member of the Image is Everything campaign cabinet, and chair of the Community Committee for the campaign. Mrs. Robinson whole-heartedly agreed to take onthis busy role and, since then, her support and enthusiasm has been unfailing.

Under Sherry’s leadership, the Community Committee has raised more than $200,000 from Durham service clubs, businesses and community groups. And Sherry has personally attended many of the events and post-event photo opportunities on the campaign’s behalf. Her knowledge of the community, relationships within the community and passion for the hospital has benefitted RHVS Foundation and the Image is Everything campaign immeasurably.
“Sherry is a very deserving recipient and the Image is Everything campaign is very fortunate to have her involved,” says Mr. Witty. “Sherry’s enthusiasm and passion for bringing an MRI to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital have been contagious.”

Created in 2001, this award honours Howard Sokolowski, former CEO of Tribute Communities, and his long and distinguished history of volunteer service for Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering. Each year, Edward Falkenberg, a local Durham artist, creates a unique work of art for the Award, and this year’s piece was titled “Silence.”

The $150,000 raised at this year’s Mayors’ Charity Golf Classic brings the 16-year total to more than $2.3 million.

From left, Chad Hanna, Bill Collier, Lucy Stocco, Jim Witty, Mayor Dave Ryan, Mayor Steve Parish and Regional Chair Roger Anderson present the final fundraising total of $150,000 for the 2011 Mayors' Charity Golf Classic, Sept. 13.

To see pictures of the golf, click here. To see pictures of the dinner and award presentations, click here.