It must be March, the Tim Tebow Foundation (TTF) hosted its Annual Charitable Gala and 6th Celebrity Golf Classic last weekend at TPC Sawgrass.
A celebrity filled weekend included Paul Azinger, Chris DiMarco, Billy Horschel, and Zach Johnson. Heisman Trophy winners Marcus Allen, Archie Griffin and Danny Wuerffel were also in attendance as well as Jerry Cantrell, Javier Colon, Hugh Freeze, Chipper Jones, Justin Martin, Urban Meyer, Jase and Missy Robertson, Al and Lisa Robertson, Kristy Lee Cook and Ashely Greene.
The Friday night Gala raised money to help fund the foundation’s seven areas of outreach. The Band Perry performed at the Gala held in the TPC Clubhouse. Retired major league outfielder Gary Sheffield auctioned off a vacation at his home in the Bahamas.
Saturday’s Celebrity Golf Classic, played under almost perfect conditions, serves as TTF’s signature fundraising event. Before play began, the crowd, players and celebrities heard a prayer from Duck Dynasty’s Jase Robertson. Then from Tebow who thanked everyone for making the weekend a success.
Finally, the microphone was given to Daniel Gulbransen. Going down on one knee he proposed to TTF staffer Eliza Lewis. She said yes.
“This is a chance to see a group of people, of a like mind, get together to celebrate the wanting to do good for other people is awesome,” shared Tom Rinaldi, Gala emcee and ESPN reporter.
Fans who are unable to be at the tournament were still able to participate in the Helicopter Golf Ball Drop. Each golf ball sponsored by a $15 donation was dropped by helicopter onto a target on the TPC Sawgrass practice range.
Bobby Boaz won the golf ball drop grand prize sponsored by Coastal Spine and Pain Center. The grand prize was two tickets to the 2017 Gala and tickets to the 2017 golf classic.
Jockey and ALE Solutions were elite sponsors in addition to American Residential Services (ARS), a national provider of HVAC and plumbing services. Since TTF’s inception in 2009, ARS has been a platinum sponsor of the foundation’s annual marquee fundraiser.
“Each year our executive team has participated in the TTF Celebrity Gala & Golf Classic. Last year alone, this event raised 1.5 million dollars for TTF’s outreach programs. Now we are encouraging all our employees to get involved in supporting the foundation through NTS,” said Don Karnes, CEO of ARS.
The foundation aims to bring faith, hope, and love to make dreams come true for children with life threatening illnesses. The organization builds playrooms in children’s hospitals, provides life changing surgeries to children in the Philippines through the Tebow CURE Hospital. TFF’s “Night to Shine” is a nationwide prom for people with special needs. They also provide care for orphans in four countries and adoption aid grants for families.
“You can always expect to have a lot of fun, see a lot of great people… But, it’s about stories, being able to minister to the incredible kids, that’s what keeps me going and keeps me believing in everything that we are doing,” Tebow said in a pre-event statement.
For more information on the Tim Tebow Foundation, visit www.timtebowfoundation.org.
