West Palm Beach, FL. (June 23, 2005) More than 200 golfers, tennis players and celebrity athletes joined recently at The 12th Annual Nicholas R. Chiera Golf and Tennis Classic to support the American Cancer Society’s “Reaching Out to Cancer Kids” (R.O.C.K.).
The annual dinner and golf extravaganza, held at Ibis Golf and Country Club for the third year, raised more than $150,000. With more than $1.5 million raised in 12 years, this event has become the single largest fundraiser for R.O.C.K., a program that sends local, cancer-afflicted children to a very special summer camp at the Boggy Creek Camp facility in Eustis, Fla.
Started by the Chiera family as a tribute to their father who passed away from cancer, this event has sent thousands of kids with cancer to a very special camp designed just for them.
“The children from the American Cancer Society’s R.O.C.K. Camp were overwhelmed not only by the Chiera family’s and generosity, but also by the sports celebrities they had a chance to meet” said Judy More, coordinator of the American Cancer Society’s R.O.C.K. Camp. Gold Medalist’s Bob Beamon, Jeff Blatnick, Kathy Turner, Gary Hall, as well as Hall of Fame football great Paul Warfield and tennis star Hana Mandlikova were in attendance.
“This year they are once again supplying over 500 tee shirts and bracelets for every camper. The amazing amount of money raised through this event will enable the American Cancer Society to continue to offer hope and quality of life to these outstanding children and their families.”
“On behalf of the staff and especially the residents of Ibis Golf & Country Club, we are proud to sponsor an event that helps create a safe and fun environment where kids with cancer can go and just be kids,” said Ibis Golf and Country Club President Stuart Tyrrell.
In addition to sending kids to summer camp, the event also funds and awards two college scholarships to cancer survivors as well as sends families dealing with cancer to a weekend retreat in Disney World.
There are currently four students attending Florida Universities with the help of the Chiera scholarships, including Ella Leung, who told her amazing story to dinner attendees. Leung is not only a cancer survivor, but currently enrolled in the University of Miami where she is studying to become a doctor.
“Our father would have been so proud knowing that his name was associated with such a wonderful cause,” said Louis Chiera, tournament co-chair. “It is such a great feeling meeting the children and young adults that benefit from this event.”
Presented by KSM Electronics, the 12th Annual Nicholas R. Chiera Dinner/Auction and Golf/Tennis Classic’s Gold Corporate Sponsors include; the LaSalle ABN AMRO, Martha G. Moore Foundation, The Frankino Foundation, macy’s, Rume Corporation, , Ocean Properties, Quicken Loans, and Winner’s Award Group Inc. Other sponsors include: Ibis Golf & Country Club, Kane Magnetics, Pizza Time, , Alpha Wire, , Amphenol/Spectrastrip Cable, Belden Wire and Cable, Bruce Sallah, Carousel Development and Restoration Inc., Coleman Cable, FBI Agents Association, Jet Set Sports, Office Depot, Presidential Leasing, Raymond James Associates Inc., Margolin and Margolin, Nancy Schroeder, Tappan Wire & Cable, Robert I. Targ, P.A., Thomas Holly and Eric Lyon, Sumitomo Electronics and Protex International.
About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. In Florida, there are more than 65 offices, three Hope Lodge facilities and approximately 80,000 volunteers involved with American Cancer Society programs and activities. For more information, call toll free 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
About the Boggy Creek Camp
Founded by Paul Newman and General Norman Schwartzkopf, the Boggy Creek Camp in Eustis, Florida is a state-of-the-art summer camp that helps children with special needs enjoy swimming, canoeing, archery, arts and crafts and other fun summer camp activities, but with round-the-clock medical care close at hand.
