Press Room

For media/press inquiries, please contact:                    
Becky Britt
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
(214) 559-8476
becky.britt @tsrh.org 

North Texas Kids Seek to Raise $1 Million for
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children,
Despite Hard Economic Times
Event offers cost effective summer activity and teaches kids value of giving back

(DALLAS – April 20, 2009) – An economic recession will not stop hundreds of North Texas kids from raising funds, playing golf and having a lot of fun in the process for the patients at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Former patient and founder of the KidSwing golf tournament, Ben Sater, age 17 of Plano, Texas, has set a goal of raising a total of $1 million before he goes to college.

The 7th annual KidSwing, an all-kids golf tournament benefiting TSRHC that has raised approximately $660,000 for the hospital since 2003, is set to tee off again on June 15. TSRHC is one of the nation's leading pediatric centers for the treatment of orthopedic conditions, certain related neurological disorders and learning disorders, such as dyslexia. Events like KidSwing allow TSRHC to treat Texas children at no charge to patient families.

While many are seeking ways to scale back this year, KidSwing allows parents the opportunity to make the most of their child’s summer in a cost effective way, while teaching them the value of philanthropy. Organizers of the tournament anticipate a record number of 500 participants this year. There is no entry fee, but those who enter are encouraged to raise $100 for the hospital by asking family and friends to sponsor them. Many KidSwing participants surpass the requested amount.

 “What we have discovered is that kids have such giving spirits and are very receptive to the idea of raising money to help other children,” said Stephanie Brigger, vice president of development at TSRHC. “It excites them to know that they can have such a direct impact. Patients like Ben and the other KidSwing participants are very committed to this tournament and its success. I am certain that no amount of economic uncertainty this year will deter them from their goal.”

KidSwing, the first event of its kind organized by a TSRHC patient, is different from other charity golf tournaments because only children, ages 7 to 18, are eligible to play. For more than eight years, Ben received treatments, including two surgeries and physical therapy, at TSRHC for a condition called trigger finger. When Ben’s mother, Kim, told him that the hospital does not charge patient families for medical care, he decided to use his love for golf to express his gratitude to the hospital. Last year, nearly 400 young golfers raised $172,000 for the hospital.

The tournament is designed for children in the community of all levels of ability to have an opportunity to experience the joy of giving back and “playing golf for kids.” The 7th annual KidSwing golf tournament will begin at 8 a.m. on Monday, June 15 at Brookhaven Country Club, 3333 Golfing Green Drive in Dallas. There will be two shotgun starts at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

So that all funds raised by the participants will go directly to the hospital, corporate sponsors are needed to help cover the tournament expenses. KidSwing sponsorships are available with benefits including publicity, Web site listing and logo listing in media materials and on event signage.

For information about becoming a KidSwing sponsor or playing in the 2009 KidSwing golf tournament, please visit www.KidSwing.org, e-mail KidSwing@tsrh.org or call (214) 559-7656.

ABOUT KIDSWING
The KidSwing golf tournament was founded in 2003 by former Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children (TSRHC) patient Ben Sater and his mother, Kim. KidSwing is a nine-hole, best-ball scramble for players ages 7 to 18. A KidSwing tournament in McKinney, Texas was added in 2008. To date, KidSwing tournaments have raised more than $660,000 for TSRHC. For information about becoming a KidSwing sponsor or playing in the 2009 KidSwing golf tournament, please visit www.KidSwing.org.

2009 KidSwing Event Chair: Kim Sater

ABOUT TSRHC
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children is one of the nation's leading pediatric centers for the treatment of orthopedic conditions, certain related neurological disorders and learning disorders, such as dyslexia. There is no charge to patient families for treatment at the hospital, and admission is open to Texas children from birth to 18 years of age. For more information, to volunteer or to make a donation, please call (214) 559-5000 or (800) 421-1121 or visit www.tsrhc.org.

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