Charity Golf Tournament Drives Support for Pediatric Cancer

Charity Golf Tournament Raises Nearly $14,000 for Friends of Kids with Cancer

Alton, IL – On a rainy fall afternoon, October 14th, 2023, 27 teams braved the elements to participate in the 17th annual charity golf tournament organized by Cope Plastics, Inc., a local company dedicated to supporting the community. The event, which was held at the beautiful Woodlands Golf Club and Banquet Center, successfully raised $13,996.37 for the Friends of Kids with Cancer, a charitable organization that has been offering vital support and hope to families with children battling pediatric cancer for over three decades.

Friends of Kids with Cancer, based in the Saint Louis area, serves approximately 1,200 children and their families every year through educational and emotional programs. The organization has been at the forefront of the fight against pediatric cancer, providing essential resources and assistance to those in need. Cope has been a dedicated supporter of Friends of Kids with Cancer for the past 17 years and, during this time, has raised approximately $110,000 to further the cause.

The tournament featured participants from various departments within Cope and many teams from our local community, which proved our community’s commitment to giving back. Despite the challenging weather conditions, participants demonstrated their unwavering dedication to raising funds for a worthy cause.

The championship flights showcased fierce competition, with the following results:

A Flight: Lewis Blyth, Dustin Duncan, Jeff Link, & Scott Boschert

B Flight: Chris Shockley, Ted Shockley, Steve Crepps, & Alec Crepps

C Flight: Scott Eddy, Brian Saenz, Ethan Eddy, & Brennan Menke

In addition to the golf tournament, the event featured competitions for the closest to the pin and longest drive. The winners of these contests were:

Closest to the Pin (CTP): Kyle Saxby

Closest to the Pin (CTP): Roger Downer

Longest Drive (Men): Michael Scott

Longest Drive (Women): Annie Maynard

The event’s participants expressed their enthusiasm and pride in being part of the tournament. Teri Higgins, Vice President of Human Resources at Cope, remarked, “This should really be named the ‘Cope Community Cares’ tournament. Seeing so many faces from so many departments having fun and raising money for a worthy cause makes one proud to work for Cope.”

Katy Hardester, HR Generalist, also shared her experience, stating, “This year was my first-time volunteering for the Cope Golf Tournament, but it definitely will not be my last. It was so much fun to help raise money for such a great cause! Being a mom, it warms my heart to know that we raised a great donation to help brighten other children’s lives. It was really great to meet all of the different employees as well! It was a blast!”

Cari Miller, Senior Buyer at Cope Plastics, added her perspective, “I have been helping with the golf tournament for the past 11 years. This was my first year co-chairing the event, and I’m so happy that we were able to raise so much money for Friends of Kids with Cancer. It makes me smile to see so many people coming together to help make this event such a huge success. It’s always so much fun, and I look forward to it every year! Together we can really make a difference for so many kids!”

Carrie Wiemers, Traffic Supervisor & co-chair of this year’s event, shared her own heartfelt experience: “Many years ago, I was asked to volunteer for this tournament. As the years continued, I began to look forward to that day in October where I would spend my day in service of the teams who so generously donate to this great cause. The course is gorgeous this time of year, and we get to enjoy a beautiful fall day with a great group of people, both players and volunteers. Last year, our team of volunteers was honored to tour the Friends of Kids with Cancer facility. It touched my heart to see all the work this organization does for children and made that day in October that much more special.”

Jeff Maynard, VP of Administration at Cope, conveyed his gratitude, saying, “We’re thankful for all our participants – 27 teams this year – and our valued sponsors as we enjoyed another great day of golf for the 17th consecutive year. Due to their partnership, along with a generous donation from Don Beem, we were able to raise $14,000 for Friends of Kids with Cancer! We are already looking forward to our 18th annual event in October 2024 – see you there!”

The success of the charity golf tournament not only reflects the dedication of Cope Plastics and its employees to their community but also demonstrates the impact that individuals and organizations can have when they come together to support a vital cause like Friends of Kids with Cancer. The funds raised will undoubtedly go a long way in providing support and hope to families battling pediatric cancer in the Saint Louis area.

We extend our gratitude to our valued sponsors for their continued support: Acropolis Technology Group, C.J. Schlosser & Company, LLC, The Daniel And Henry Co, Enviro-Master Services, GEHR Engineering Plastic, Inteplast Group, Play It Again Sports – Edwardsville, IL, RS Auto Repairs, Sign Magic, Roechling Industrial North America, Softchoice, Sam Biggs Memorial Foundation, SSE, ZL Engineering Plastics, GOJOCO Inc. DBA Kilwins St. Charles, Rick & Shannahan CPAs, Evolution Plastics, Trinseo, and Cast Nylons Limited. Your partnership has played a crucial role in making this event a success.

The funds raised from this tournament will help Friends of Kids with Cancer continue its vital work and provide hope and support to children and families battling pediatric cancer. We look forward to your continued support and seeing you at our 18th annual event in October 2024! Thank you for making a difference.