The Sgt. Christopher Simpson Memorial Golf Tournament held May 30 at the Little Falls Municipal Golf Course raised $1,000 for the Herkimer County Hunger Coalition and $1,000 for the American Red Cross of the Mohawk Valley.
“The tournament generated $10,000 worth of food at the Food Bank of Central New York for our county pantries, and provided our exemplary Mohawk Valley Red Cross with some much needed funds, while at the same time honoring the memory of an American hero, Sgt. Christopher Simpson,” said hunger coalition Director R.J. Lenarcic.
Simpson, a native of Rome, died on March 17, 2008, after his vehicle struck a roadside bomb north of Baghdad.
He was serving his second tour of duty when he was killed in Iraq and has been honored as part of the Fallen Stars Memorial Project, which pays tribute to the men and women from New York state who were killed in Afghanistan and Iraq.
“This generous gift came to us as part of the Heroes for the American Red Cross campaign, which is the largest annual fundraising campaign conducted by the local Red Cross,” said American Red Cross of the Mohawk Valley Executive Director Andria DeLisle-Heath. “This gift, as well as the other funds raised through the campaign, will be used to provide services to the local community.”
Heroes for the American Red Cross is a grassroots campaign in which local business people, school groups, church groups, civic clubs and individuals pledge to raise $1,000, through any legal means they choose, for the American Red Cross of the Mohawk Valley.
The funds will be used to support Red Cross services, such as disaster relief, assistance for fire victims, emergency military communications, first aid and CPR training and disaster preparedness information for the community. All money raised will support programs in the Mohawk Valley.
The campaign will run until June 30.
Winning teams included Mark Andrilla and Dan Korce in the A division, Kelly Brown and Pete Wiliczka in the B division, the Deckers in the mixed division and Little Falls Mayor Robert Peters and John Prestopnik in the senior division. Bruce Crimmins won the closest to the pin contest.
Gold sponsors for the event were Carrie and Michael Firestone and Paulette and Jerry Firestone. The Herkimer Polish Community Home was the silver sponsor and other tournament sponsors included FranDog Charities, Herb and Gary Ruff, Assemblyman Marc Butler and Tim and Jen Snyder.
The tournament was directed by David Petkovsek and Kira Andrilla, with Robert Critser providing the signs and Vincent Tancredi providing the plaques. Mike Liscio and Mark Ruffing hosted the Mexican buffet held at the Little Falls Elks Lodge after the tournament. Special guests at the event were Katie McLaughlin and Carol Fries, Simpson’s mother and fiancee, respectively, and Fall Stars Memorial Spokesperson Mimi Martin.
“Being able to spend the morning and afternoon with Katie McLaughlin and Carol Fries really spoke to me,” said DeLisle-Heath. “The Red Cross was honored to play a small role in honoring the memory of Sgt. Christopher Simpson.”