Austin-area golfers raise $80,000 for
abused, neglected children and special needs adoption
September 25, 2007

A record-breaking 120 golfers teed off at the annual Tomorrow's Child Golf Benefit at Avery Ranch Golf and Country Club in Austin Sept. 17, raising $80,000 in pledges and donations for New Life Children's Center in Canyon Lake and LSS Special Needs Adoption. The tournament exceeded last year's totals by $7,000, with all proceeds benefiting the children.

"It's great to see so many golfers out here playing for the children," said LSS Chief Executive Officer Kurt Senske. "I'm glad to see all of you, new faces and old friends, who have come out to support our ministries for children."

An awards luncheon followed the morning round to honor the golfers, and featured a visit from three of the girls cared for at New Life. The girls met the golfers, toured the course and took the opportunity to express their appreciation for all the money raised.

"We're just so grateful to have a place like New Life, where we're safe and we learn and grow," Said Christina, a New Life resident. "And it means a lot to us to be here and say thanks to you." The girls also presented personalized artwork to committee members Joel Reed, Clifford Miller and Bob Wernecke, in honor of 30 combined years of support for the Austin tournament.

A ministry of LSS, New Life is a 24-hour residential treatment center for girls ages 11 to 17 who suffer from emotional and behavioral problems, usually the result of past abuse and neglect. Residents of New Life have a safe place to live and are provided with individual and group therapy, recreation, spiritual care and on-campus educational services.

The tournament also benefited LSS special needs adoption programs throughout Central Texas. Special needs children have conditions ranging from autism and mental retardation to cerebral palsy and cancer.

"It's a great day for children with special needs," said special guest speaker and News 8 Austin Reporter Amy Hadley at the awards luncheon. Hadley hosts a weekly segment called Forever Families, which focuses on children who are considered hard to place for adoption, such as older children, sibling groups and children with disabilities. "These are children who, for no reason of their own, are in danger of spending their very young lives in the foster care system without ever knowing a home of their own. It's important that we don't lose sight of these kids."

Platinum Sponsors for the event were Cala Grande Properties and Clifford and Paula Miller. Gold Sponsors Bank of America; Greg and Deb Hilton; Curtis and Marilyn Mickan and Triact Associates. Titanium Sponsors were Austin Counter Tops, Blue Bell Creameries, Bobby J. Fogle of Smith Barney, John and Patti Ruser, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans: North Travis County, South Travis County and Williamson County Chapters; USI Southwest, Jackson Walker LLP and Michael and Ann Watt.

Lutheran Social Services is the social service arm of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. LSS affiliated ministries serve more than 35,000 people in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, regardless of religious beliefs, ethnicity, gender or age. Its ministries include children's centers, therapeutic foster care, adoption, disaster response, emergency assistance, senior health care, retirement communities and adult day care.

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