2018 Golf Outing Charity Recipient Selected
Giving back is a part of the DNA of Russell. It is ingrained within our corporate values and a trait we encourage of all our employees. Whether it be volunteering for a community event, the local PTA, religious organizations or providing monetary donations – our employees are committed to making our communities a better place to work, place and live.
This “giving back” mentality is one that our CEO Jim Russell has been passionate about since day one. Fast-forward 34 years to today and this passion remains intact, especially through our annual charity golf outing that is held each September. What started as a smaller golf event, raising approximately $5,000 for a charity, has evolved into something much bigger than we ever thought possible! On average, our annual golf outing raises anywhere from $20,000 – $40,000, and over the last 20 years alone has brought in over $420,000 for local charities. Past recipients include:
- Family Resources
- Project Renewal
- Child Abuse Council
- Scott County Family YMCA
Making the Charity Selection
So, how do we go about selecting the charities that we give back to on a yearly basis through the golf outing?
There are more than 900 registered 401c3 organizations in Scott County alone – 900! That makes selecting a worthy organization a tough decision. Our goal each year is to select a charity that someone within our organization is involved with, passionate about and aligns with our company’s values. Another important part of our selection is awareness. Organizations that may not be as well-known as others in our area are ones that we pay close attention to. When we can give them a platform for greater exposure, that’s a big deal.
Through an internal nomination and vetting process, a committee narrows down the charities and presents them to Jim and Michelle Russell for review and consideration before a charity is ultimately selected.
2018’s Charity of Choice
After much consideration it was decided that the recipient of Russell’s 30th Annual Charity Golf Outing would be Gabe’s All-Inclusive Play Village.
Gabe’s All- Inclusive Play Village Team was formed to advocate and raise funds for the construction and installation of an all-inclusive, universally accessible playground for the Davenport community and surrounding locale. Currently, there is not a universally accessible playground in Davenport to support the 2,000 children with special needs in the Davenport Community School District alone who are unable to utilize traditional playground equipment.
The new all-inclusive park will be located in Vander Veer Botanical Park. It will include a thematic entry gateway, treehouse full of handicap accessible play equipment, interactive panels, a sensory circle, an area for touch and texture development and swings. Ultimately, it will allow all children to have the ability to play together in a safe and enriching environment.
While our golf outing is officially full, we are always looking for sponsorships and donations. Interested in sponsoring a hole or donating to Gabe’s All-Inclusive Play Village? Contact us!
(563) 459-4600
Read more here:
QC Times: Grandmother continues push for all-inclusive playground at Davenport’s Vander Veer