Golfers Raise $66K for Children’s Specialized Hospital

Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation hosted their annual Golf Invitational on July 16 at Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Lakewood, raising $66,000 to benefit Children’s Specialized Hospital’s newest outpatient facility in Egg Harbor, NJ.

A total of 133 golfers came out to show their support for , the largest pediatric rehabilitation hospital in the United States, treating more than 19,000 children with specialized rehabilitative care each year. The hospital has a facility in Mountainside.

Denise Porter, of C&R Insurance Agency, and Eric Jensen, of Michael Reisz & Company, co-chaired the Golf Invitational.

Porter was impressed with the spike in participants—21 more golfers than last year—and attributes it to the outstanding care patients receive at Children’s Specialized Hospital.

"The fact that we were able to noticeably increase the number of golfers participating in this year's Invitational speaks volumes as to how important Children's Specialized Hospital is to all those who recognize the miracles performed there every day,” Porter said. “Such an outpouring of support truly emphasizes how people will selflessly reach out to those most in need of random kindness and unconditional humanity."

In addition to golf, participants had a chance to buy tickets in a raffle. First prize was a 60" LCD TV, the second prize was an iPod Touch, and the third prize was a Kindle Fire.

This year’s major sponsors of the Golf Invitational included: Toms River Elks B.P.O E. 1875; Michael Reisz & Company; Breaker Electric, Inc.; L'Oreal; Car Wash Operators; Amy Mansue; Deloitte; and Dr. Alex Giaquinto.

With the Invitational over, Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation is gearing up for the 25th anniversary of the Umbrella Gala, which is their signature fundraising event. This year’s “Giant Celebration” will be held at the Toyota Club at Met Life Stadium on Oct. 16, 2012. Guests will enjoy an evening of cocktails, entertainment, dancing, and a high-end silent auction.

MVP guests will be treated to a private stadium experience, including a tour. For more information, please contact Toni Bodrato, special events coordinator, at tbodrato@childrens-specialized.org or 908-301-5479.

Children’s Specialized Hospital is the preeminent provider of rehabilitation services for children with special needs. The hospital serves children affected by brain injury, spinal cord injury, premature birth, autism, developmental delays, and life-changing illnesses. Children’s Specialized Hospital has nine sites in New Jersey and treats 19,000 children each year, making it the largest pediatric rehabilitation system of its kind in the nation. Services include outpatient services, acute rehabilitation, and long-term care through its sites in Bayonne, Clifton, Mountainside, Toms River, Fanwood, Hamilton, New Brunswick and Roselle Park (Little Egg Harbor fall 2012) as well as outreach programs in many communities.  Children's Specialized Hospital is a proud member of the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and was named the 2012 Hospital of the Year by NJBIZ.

Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation supports the programs and services of the hospital. The Foundation is ranked among the top six pediatric hospital foundations in the country. To help, or find more information: visit www.childrens-specialized.org; find us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter @ChildrensSpecNJ.