March 25, 2009
On Friday, April 24, the first annual Butch and Tammy Davis Tailgate Golf Tournament will take place at UNC's Finley Golf Course. All proceeds from the tournament will benefit SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals, a hospitality house providing comfortable, convenient, and affordable housing for patients undergoing treatment for critical illness or trauma.
The Davis's have supported Family House since their arrival in Chapel Hill, particularly as a result of Butch's experience with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2007. During that same year, two of Tammy¹s immediate family members were diagnosed with cancer and, unfortunately, one passed away. The Davis family is mindful of the need for lodging and long-term nurture and support of both the patients and caregivers.
"Due to our own experience with cancer, we found out just how many of us have been, or know someone who has been, affected by a life-threatening illness requiring an extended hospital stay," said Butch Davis. "The lodging and services provided to the families of these patients by the SECU Family House are so desperately needed. We hope this tournament raises needed funds that allow Family House to help those who need it most. Tammy and I are honored to have an opportunity to be involved with SECU Family House, and we look forward to the first tournament."
Coach Davis will hit a drive for every team and mulligans will be available for purchase. Rameses, the UNC cheerleaders, and a handful of sport celebrities will also be present for the event, making it a true Tar Heel afternoon.
Invited and registered guests will gather for a tailgate BBQ Reception the night before in the Clark Courtyard at SECU Family House. Sponsored by UNC Hospitals, this gathering promises to be a laid-back evening of good, Tar Heel fun. The Chapel Hill Restaurant Group will provide a delicious dinner, Chancellor Holden Thorp's band will make an appearance, and Woody Durham will emcee the night. In addition, a number of sports items of great interest will be raffled off, including UNC game day passes, an autographed helmet, autographed jerseys, and several NFL items.
"We're hoping that this event raises as much as $75,000 to offset annual operating costs and contribute to our capacity to meet the temporary lodging needs of the uninsured and underinsured," says SECU Family House Executive Director Greg Kirkpatrick."
Tom Shea, SECU Family House's Board President and Director of the Bone Marrow Transplantation Program at UNC Hospitals adds, "We are thrilled to have Butch and Tammy's commitment to this exciting and fun-filled event. As a nonprofit and heavily volunteer-driven effort, we are dependent on the generosity and dedication of people like the Davises and are extremely fortunate to have their willing and generous support."
For more information on this tournament or to register, please visit www.tailgatetournament.org.
To learn more about the mission of SECU Family House, please visit www.secufamilyhouse.org.
About SECU Family House
SECU Family House, an independent, nonprofit organization, offers temporary housing, supportive services, and a nurturing environment to adult critical care patients receiving treatment at UNC Hospitals and affiliated clinics. Both patients and/or family members and caregivers stay at the House. Named after the State Employees' Credit Union Foundation (SECU) in recognition of its $2M campaign gift, the House opened its doors to guests on March 31, 2008. In its first six months or operation, , SECU Family House has served 543 critically ill patients and family members from 80 of North Carolina's 100 counties and 16 other states, while providing more than 9,353 guest stays. SECU Family House is located at 123 Old Mason Farm Road, beside the Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill, across from the N.C. Botanical Gardens, and just down the road from Finley Golf Course.
