Curious Kids' Museum and YMCA of Greater Michiana receive surprise donations as part of the Championship's continued charitable efforts
The impact of this year's KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship will extend far beyond the greens this week. Two local youth organizations are reaping the benefits of the Championship in the form of significant charitable contributions to help them to continue their great work in Southwest Michigan.
Representatives from Curious Kids’ Museum and the YMCA of Greater Michiana were each surprised this morning with $50,000 donations during a special presentation at the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship being held at Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor.
Lori Marciniak, Executive Director of the Curious Kids’ Museum and Jill Haboush, Chief Development Officer of the YMCA of Greater Michiana, were both in attendance on Friday morning under the assumption that it was simply an event to bring community members together. The real shock came when they were called to the stage to accept the unexpected donation from the PGA of America and KitchenAid.
“The KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship has always been about more than just golf. It’s about the community, and recognizing the selfless leaders who make this area such an incredible place,” said Jim Richerson, President of the PGA of America. “We are proud to support Curious Kids’ Museum and the YMCA in delivering impactful services for local youth.”
These two donations were made in addition to $50,000 in scholarships given this year to Lake Michigan College’s Start-to-Finish programas as part of the PGA and Whirlpool Corporation’s Jack and Barbara Nicklaus KitchenAid Senior PGA Champions for Change Scholarship Program.
“The development of Harbor Shores started as a catalyst to move our community forward, and the positive impact it has had on Southwest Michigan year after year continues to amaze me. It has brought people together through golf to make lasting change,” said Jeff Fettig, General Chair of the 2022 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship. “The golf course and the Championship have become ingrained in this community, and we could not be more proud to support these deserving organizations.”
