2009 Junta42 Golf for Autism Another Success – $30k in Proceeds in 3 Years

It was another perfect day for an amazing cause.  On August 14th, nearly 100 golfers and over 80 sponsors and contributors came together to raise more than $10,000 to help get children with autism get speech therapy services. All proceeds for the event go to Easter Seals Northern Ohio.

Now, as the Junta42 Golf for Autism completes its 3rd year, we've raised $30,000 for the cause ($7500 in 2007, nearly $12,000 in 2008, and $10,500 this year).  Our original goal for 2009 was $12,000. By late 2008, it was apparent that this year was going to be much more challenging. All told, we feel pretty good about surpassing the $10k level. What made the difference? Even though some of our larger hole sponsors had to back out (due to economic reasons), we had more overall contributors than ever before (85 total, up from 73 last year). This is a huge testament to the great volunteers we had this year in the field and online (the Facebook page) helping to gather support.

Where to start?

First, here are some wonderful testimonials from this year's event:

• The Junta42 Golf for Autism is a wonderful event with great people at a beautiful course. I will be back next year! - Amanda Wegryn, Penton Media
• My entire team agreed this is one of THE best outings we have participated in. Very well run and what a great cause! 2009 was our first year and we have every intention of participating next year. Thanks Joe! – Josh Healan, Advancement, LLC
• It amazed me to see, even in this down economy, the support that Junta42 generated for Easter Seals. From players to Sponsors, the generosity displayed is a result of the support and trust people have in Joe. – Jim Clarke, Ka, Inc.
• An outstanding outing for a great cause! – Jack Parks, Steris

Second, here are some awesome pics from the outing.  Take some time to go through the pics – the signage this year was awesome thanks to Brianne Haddox at Billboard Connection.   And here's the program from this year's event (designed by Joe Kalinowski and printed by Duke Printing).

Third, a big thank you to all our sponsors and contributors for the event, especially our premiere sponsors:

• GIE Media
• Petco
• Interact Media
• Foster Printing Service

Our Hole Sponsors:

• D Custom
• Execution Matters / Angela Vannucci
• Groff Funeral Homes
• Integrated Publishing Sales, LLC
• Jim & Laurel Clarke
• Kevin & Lee Ann Lednik
• Mike & Michelle Pistillo
• PR 20/20
• Redwood Custom Communications

All our Contributors:

• AMS Specialty Steel
• Andy Junkins
• Applebees
• Barb Schmitz
• Baricelli Inn
• Bev Beckert
• Billboard Connection-Brevard – Brianne Haddox
• Blue Canyon
• Bob Evans (Bainbridge)
• Buffalo Wild Wings (Bainbridge)
• Chuck & Lisa Francisco
• Cooking Thyme
• CVS
• Dick's Sporting Goods
• Dolores Sullin
• Dorothy & Kevin McCarthy
• Duke Printing
• Ed & Sandy Kozelka
• Edward Marecki
• Frank & Diane Gronowski
• Fred Misischia
• Fry Communications
• Galileo Communications
• Generation Rescue
• GFS
• GPS Gift Gallery
• Henry & Ann Speier
• Honda
• Jack Jerry – JerryCo
• Jackie Strnad
• James Clifford
• James Kunkel
• James Witkowski
• Jerry Kunkel
• Jim & Peg Connell
• Jim and Laurel Clarke
• JoAnn Grande
• Joe Kalinowski
• Joe Zion
• Johnny's Downtown
• MacDuff Publishing
• Marcie Avram
• Max & Erma's (Solon)
• Medical Mutual of Ohio
• Michael & Melissa Paul
• Michael & Michele Madej
• Mike & Darlene Balzano
• Moen
• National City Bank
• Outback Steakhouse (Independence)
• Panera Bread (Solon)
• Pat Catans
• Paul & Mary Ann Kunkel
• Peter and Ellen Kwiatkowski
• Petitti Garden Centers
• Pittney Bowes
• Playaway/Findaway Digital LLC
• Richard Bongorno
• Rick Liebling
• Rick Rudnicki
• Ruby Tuesday's (Bainbridge)
• Scott Abel
• Shannon Hammer
• Stephanie Diamond
• Stephen Rogers
• Suzanne Hoffman
• The Boneyard in Mayfield
• The Kapitan Family
• The Rosen Group
• Wendy's/Western Reserve Restaurant Management
• Yours Truly

Fourth…we had so many wonderful volunteers this year.  Thanks so much to the committee for everything that they did to make this event possible.

• Mike & Lynne Pistillo
• Joe & Pam Pulizzi
• Angela Vannucci
• Missy Pistillo
• Laurel Clarke
• Mike & Darlene Balzano
• Brianne Haddox – Billboard Connections (signage)
• Joe Kalinowski (program design)

And finally, a big thank you to all the grandparents that watched the kids while all our volunteers were making this happen.

Now, even though this is an annual event, we never stop working.  So, here's what you can do right now if you haven't already.

1. Join Our Facebook Causes Page
2. Recruit Others for the Cause
3. Continue to Spread the Word

Donations can be sent to:

Junta42 Golf for Autism
3317 W 155th St.
Cleveland, OH 44111

or you can make contributions online at our Causes page.

Thanks again to everyone for their support and help.  Already looking forward to next year.