By Gary Nager
Congratulations to my friend Valerie Casey, who once again hosted (on Oct. 24) her eighth successful golf tournament to benefit the Tampa Fisher House (info below), and to the organizers of the first annual ‘Trick’s Kicks’ Memorial Golf Tournament, which also raised thousands of dollars to benefit a great cause on Oct. 18.
Trick’s Kicks Tourney Raises $7K
A little more than a year after Wharton High grad and Hunter’s Green resident Patrick Strom was killed in a single car crash in his neighborhood, his family, friends and supporters have honored his memory with a wonderful golf event at Heritage Isles Country Club. Patrick’s father Dick says that about 60 golfers participated in the first-ever “Trick’s Kicks” Memorial Golf Tourney, which helped the nonprofit Trick’s Kicks, Inc., raise $7,000.
“A wonderful time was had by all,” Dick says. “The money we raised will all go towards purchasing more athletic shoes (aka “kicks”) for underprivileged kids in our area.” The organization, which is all volunteer-run, already has helped donate quality, new “kicks” for kids at Everyday Blessings, a shelter for kids taken from the parents (because of abuse and other reasons), so the tourney certainly will help purchase a lot more shoes to donate.
In addition, Trick’s Kicks, Inc., will host a “cookie exchange” on Sunday, December 7, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., also at Heritage Isles. Come check out the decadent baked goods and help this worthy cause. For more info, visit TricksKicks.com.
Fisher House Tourney Tops Goal
As wonderful causes go, few (at least in my opinion) are more important than the Fisher House, the residence which houses and feeds — at no charge — the families and significant others of the wounded soldiers being treated at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital.
And, thanks to Val, the Arbor Greene resident from a military family who has organized and run the annual golf tourney to benefit the Tampa Fisher House, more than $210,000 has been raised in the eight years of the event, including surpassing her goal of $30,000 this year.
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Although she is so proud of her committee, led by her fellow New Tampa Noon Rotary Club members Barry and Clare Shuman, her sponsors and supporters for their efforts this year, Val says that she is most proud of the fact that there were at least twelve Purple Heart recipients on hand for this year’s tournament, including not only injured U.S. Army Ranger Romy Camargo, but also Steven Hill, one of the Green Berets who saved Romy’s life.
Tampa Fisher House director Paula Welenc and Fisher House national Board member and U.S. Marines Lt. Gen. (ret.) Marty Steele also were thankful for the efforts of Val and those involved in providing these funds, which are donated directly to the Tampa Fisher House each year.
Donations are still being accepted. Please email ValCasey3@aol.com or visit FisherHouse.org for more info.
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