Golf Outing Raises Funds and Awareness for Bicycle and Helmet Safety
Posted by Rose Fochs on August 20, 2007
Organizers of the first-ever Brandon’s Champions Golf Scramble called the outing a huge success as the non-profit organization raised nearly $12,000.One hundred and twenty-five golfers took to the fairways for the event at Lake Breeze Golf Course in Winneconne on Aug.11.
“The outpouring of support from family, friends, neighbors and local businesses was tremendous,” said Joe Fochs of Darboy, father of Brandon and an officer of Brandon’s Champions. “The additional funds will help us continue our mission to promote bicycle safety.” The group plans to use the proceeds to provide helmets, ID kits and educational materials related to bicycle safety for children and adults.
In addition to the golf, food and fun, players were able to participate in a silent auction and raffle drawings for great prizes and gift certificates donated by many local businesses.
Individuals can still assist the organization’s fundraising efforts by participating in a Pampered Chef promotion offered by Donna Mendyke at www.pamperedchef.biz/chef. For any purchases made by Aug. 25 as part of this online promotion, 30 percent of the sale proceeds will be donated to Brandon’s Champions. Details about this special promotion are located on the web site.
Brandon’s Champions was founded the family and friends of 13-year-old Brandon Fochs of Darboy, who died as a result of a bicycle/vehicle accident in July 2003. Although he was wearing a helmet, Brandon was not carrying any identification.
Since 2003, Brandon’s Champions, an all volunteer organization, has distributed more than 10,000 helmet ID kits, given presentations on bicycle safety at schools, and participated in dozens of bicycle safety clinics throughout Wisconsin. The information contained in the ID kits is vital to police and first responders in life-threatening emergencies.
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Like most children and cyclists, Brandon was not carrying any form of identification. The mission of Brandon’s Champions is to promote bicycle and helmet safety as well as to promote an easy-to-use identification system to help authorities identify children in an emergency situation. Parents can provide as much information as they choose with the Brandon’s Champions identification system. 