Golf tournament offers bone marrow drive, supports charities | Community Service

If you haven’t had a chance to hit the golf course this season; you are in luck! The Federation of Social Workers will be hosting their seventh annual Federation of Social Workers Golf Tournament on Sunday, August 12 at Greystone Golf Club (1400 Atlantic Avenue, Walworth). All the proceeds from the tournament will be donated to three very deserving local charities; Alyssa’s Angels, Christopher’s Challenge, and the Ed Grabowski-Dina Finn Memorial Scholarship Fund.

            “We are excited to be working with very worthwhile charities in the Rochester area,” said Evelyn Evans, president of the Federation of Social Workers. “In addition to a great day of golf, you can also help save a life by entering the Be the Match Registry.”

            A pair of bone marrow drives will be held; one from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. and a second from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. The procedure for entering the Be the Match Registry is non-invasive, and requires a swabbing of the mouth along with a brief health history.

            “Each day, over 6,000 men, women, and children with leukemia, aplastic anemia or other fatal blood diseases desperately search the registry for a matching bone marrow donor,” says Kathy Costello, chairperson of Christopher’s Challenge. “The more people we can get to join the registry, the better chance these people having of finding a match.”

               The fee to pay is $95 per golfer or $360 per foursome and includes lunch and dinner. To register call 585-328-7170 or click here for more information http://www.fsw-union.com/2012golfreg.pdf

About the charities:

Christopher’s Challenge is a charitable fund that was established in 1998 to support the lifesaving work of bone marrow transplants. The purpose of the fund is to pay for the typing of individuals willing to become potential donors through the National Marrow Donor Program, as well as other costs associated with bone marrow transplants. For more information visitwww.christopherschallenge.org.

Alyssa’s Angels- The mission of Alyssa’s Angels is to do work that reflects the spirit of giving to and caring for others, which was so important to Alyssa Rose Bruno. Funds that are generated will be used to support projects that will directly benefit the most disadvantaged and needy children in the Rochester area. These projects will focus on children who are victims of abuse and/or neglect; experiencing serious medical, behavioral or emotional problems and lacking in family or other community supports. For more information visit www.alyssasangels.org.

Ed Grabowski-Dina Finn Memorial Scholarship- Ed Grabowski provided the Federation of Social Workers invaluable support and guidance as our IUE field representative for more than two decades. His expert handling of arbitrations and contract negotiations benefited all of our members. Dina Finn was a long-time member of our Executive Board. She made significant contributions to our organization in many different areas. This scholarship fund for FSW members, and the children they care for, is an on-going tribute to Ed and Dina’s memory.