6th Annual Mario V. Chalmers Foundation Golf Tournament Participants. View Photo Album - Photo Credit: Chuck France Photography
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – The 6th Annual Mario V. Chalmers Foundation Golf Tournament & VIP Mixer hosted by Miami HEAT Point Guard and former Kansas Jayhawk star, Mario Chalmers, was a huge success, raising over $25,000 for the Mario V. Chalmers Foundation and Mario's Closet. Over 100 local notables including KU Basketball Coach Bill Self, business leaders and sports fans took part in the event held at Alvamar Country Club in Lawrence, KS. Participants enjoyed 18 holes of golf at Alvamar's Members Only Course, drinks, lunch and contests on the course. Later that evening, guests mingled at the VIP Mixer which featured a silent and live auction, hors d'oeuvres and cocktails, live music courtesy of Lex Norwood, goody bags and an awards ceremony.
For men and women fighting cancer, Mario's Closet, located inside Lawrence Memorial Hospital, is a comforting place that restores confidence, dignity and hope through personalized image renewal. A gift to the community from the Mario V. Chalmers Foundation in 2008, Mario's Closet offers affordable solutions to target the physical effects of cancer treatment, including wigs, prostheses, skincare products and more. The volunteers of Mario's Closet were honored at the VIP Mixer with the "2014 Heart of A Champion Award" for all of their hard work and dedication to Mario's Closet.
"Helping others has always been a significant part of my life. I'm so blessed to be able to give back to a community that has continuously showed their support for me throughout the years," said Mario Chalmers, Miami HEAT Point Guard.
On behalf of Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Allyson Leland stated "We are so grateful for everything that Mario Chalmers and the Mario V. Chalmers Foundation does to help so many Lawrence community members. I am honored to accept the "Heart of Champion" award on behalf of all of the volunteers at Mario's Closet. Being able to see Mario's Closet positively affect so many lives, makes every effort so worthwhile for all of us involved."
Highlights of the VIP Mixer included a warm welcome speech Mario Chalmers and former Jayhawk Radio Network Personality, Brian Hanni. The spectacular live auction featured three amazing items including a Leo Hayden "Pay Heed to Excellence" one-of-a-kind painting of seven KU legends signed by Mario Chalmers, Coach Bill Self and Coach Danny Manning; a fabulous VIP Miami HEAT Experience which included roundtrip tickets from Kansas City to Miami, a one-night stay at a South Beach hotel, dinner for four at Prime 112, four tickets to a Miami Heat Game and a Meet & Greet with Mario; and the Ultimate Jayhawk Experience which included 4 Tickets to the KU vs. Florida Gators Game at Allen Fieldhouse and dinner at 715 Mass in Downtown Lawrence. The highest bid of the Ultimate Jayhawk Experience came from Mario's father, Ronnie Chalmers, who donated the package to four volunteers of Mario's Closet.
Both the Mario V. Chalmers Foundation and Mario's Closet support and fund initiatives for breast cancer research, treatment and awareness. Raising funds for women with breast cancer has been a major cause that Mario Chalmers has supported ever since a dear childhood friend's mother passed away from the disease a number of years ago. Located at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Mario's Closet - a gift to the community from the Mario V. Chalmers Foundation - offers affordable solutions to target the physical effects of cancer treatment, including wigs and salon services, mastectomy bras and prostheses, cosmetics, skincare products and more.
In addition to supporting breast cancer initiatives, the Mario V. Chalmers Foundation also creates and supports community based programs that encourage the positive development of youth through sports and education. The Foundation strives to empower, inspire and enable youth to live healthy lifestyles, put education first and give back to their communities. Each activity supported by the Mario V. Chalmers Foundation encourages youths to stay positive and reminds them that in times of adversity...we must perform. For more information, please like us and follow us on Facebook or visit www.MarioVChalmersFoundation.org.
Event sponsors included McDonald's of Lawrence; Crown Toyota, Scion, and Volkswagen of Lawrence; Arty's Legendary Cocktails; KLWN Radio; Checker's Foods; O'Malley Beverage; Clear10 Vodka; Smoothie King; Chuck France Photography; Leo Hayden; Centro Cigars and Say Cheez Photo Booth – Lawrence.
