Make-A-Wish Vermont & Northeast New York announced today that the 16th Annual Tech Valley Charity Golf Tournament raised a record $270,000 to grant life-changing wishes for critically ill children throughout the region. The tournament, held yesterday at Saratoga National Golf Club, brought together 200 golfers from the region's leading technology businesses.

The funds will help Make-A-Wish Vermont & Northeast New York work toward granting 125 wishes throughout the region. 

Wish Kids Participate and Share Stories

Local Wish Kids participated in the tournament, demonstrating the lasting impact of granted wishes:

Julia, age 16 from Glenville, NY, whose wish to attend the Grammy Awards was granted despite her battle with an autoimmune disorder, spoke at the dinner reception about her experience walking the red carpet.

Colton, age 7 from Melrose, NY, fulfilled his dream to attend WrestleMania during his cancer treatment. Yesterday, he and his brother Mason rode in the helicopter for the Curtis Lumber Ball Drop, provided by Matt from Independent Helicopters LLC, creating another special memory for the young Wish Kid.

Brady O'Connell, age 18, recently received his wish to visit the Florida Keys and participated in yesterday's tournament with his family, finishing second place overall.

Community Partnership Drives Success

The tournament's success was made possible through presenting sponsor Banner Industries and the title sponsorship leadership of Eric Richards.

Event sponsors included Stonhard (Reception Sponsor), Dynamic Systems Inc. (Shirt Sponsor), Consigli (Breakfast Sponsor), Midwest Steel (Lunch Sponsor), Camelot Printing & Copy Centers (Photo Booth Sponsor), Air Liquide (Putting Green Sponsor), Mohawk Chevrolet (Bag Sponsor), Tec Protective Coatings, Inc. (Towel Sponsor), Banner Industries (Morning Beverage Sponsor), Arcadis (Afternoon Beverage Sponsor), and General Control Systems (Divot Tool Sponsor).

Wish Sponsors included Performance Contracting, Inc., Swagelok, JE Dunn, Jacobs, Gross Electric, Camelot Printing & Copy Centers, Lotus Works, Mohawk Ambulance, FPI Mechanical, and World Wide Professional Solutions.

Team sponsors included Air Liquide, Plumber & Steamfitters Local 7, CHA Solutions, HT Lyons, Georg Fischer Piping Systems, Harrington Flow Solutions, Consigli, DOD Technologies, Asahi/America, NEFCO, Kim Industries, Standard Steel, and Gilbane.

Tournament Legacy and Impact

What began 16 years ago when parents of Wish children came together to give back to Make-A-Wish has evolved into the region's premier charity golf event. The tournament has directly funded over 100 wishes to date. Yesterday's event featured two flights of golf, on-course games, raffle prizes, and concluded with a helicopter ball drop at the driving range.