Golf Tournament Raises $50,000 for the INOVA Health System Foundation
On Monday, May 21st, Calvert-Jones sponsored the 1st Annual Inova Golf Tournament. With the help of several suppliers and loyal customers, Calvert-Jones was able to net $50,000 for the Inova Health System Foundation, a sizeable and generous donation for the services provided by the Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children, the only hospital dedicated solely to the care of infants, children and adolescents in Northern Virginia and a leader in children's health care in the Washington, D.C. metro area.
Al Watts, Chief Estimator, Stan Peregoy, Calvert-Jones President, Don Ripley, Vice President, Commercial New Construction; and Kevin Jennings, Project Manager, were the coordinators for the first annual Inova Golf Outing. A full course of 144 golfers from 38 companies took to the links at the Old Hickory Golf club in Woodbridge under sunny skies to enjoy great company, exciting prizes, delicious food, and a feeling of doing something worthwhile for others.
"Calvert Jones has been involved with the construction and maintenance of Inova Hospitals for more than 30 years," explained Ripley. "We have enjoyed a very strong relationship with Inova and have donated to the foundation many times in the past. By hosting a golf tournament, we felt we could generate a large lump sum that could help make a major difference in one of the many needs of Inova," he continued.
"Inova is Calvert-Jones' biggest client, with numerous hospitals and several satellite offices located across Northern Virginia," added Jennings. "At some point in their lives, almost everyone who played in the tournament has had a family member, friend or coworker who has utilized the services of Inova," he said.
As an integral part of the Northern Virginia community for the past 50 years, the not-for-profit Inova Health System helps a wide variety of children and adults in need. The Inova network consists of hospitals and other health services including emergency and urgent care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova's mission is to improve the health of the diverse communities they serve through excellence in patient care, education and research.
According to Peregoy, Calvert Jones was the sole organizer of this event and hopes to make it an annual affair. "If this year's turnout is any indication of what we can expect in future years, we're off to a very strong start," he said proudly.
Dayna Kuhar, Director of Leadership Giving for the Inova Health System Foundation, helped Calvert-Jones identify specific areas of need for the money donated from the golf outing, all of which will go to benefit the welfare of children. The area of concentration where the Foundation-and the representatives from Calvert Jones-felt they could make the biggest impact is in the Pediatric Ground Transport Team, which transports children in outlying community hospitals that need the specialized care provided by the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Inova Fairfax Hospital for children. A group of specially trained PICU nurses and respiratory therapists go to referring hospitals and transport critically ill children to Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children. Physician oversight is provided throughout the transport.
To support the needs of critically ill children in Northern Virginia, highly technical equipment has become integral to excellent care. In order for the hospital's transport team to provide the highest level of care throughout the transfer, the golf tournament proceeds will be used to purchase the latest state-of-the-art equipment, provide funding for training related to the special needs of transporting critically ill children, and for additional staffing needs.
Kuhar explained that Calvert-Jones has been very generous to the Inova Health System Foundation-donating more than $34,000 since 1985-and that the announcement of the golf outing was an incredible surprise.
"Calvert-Jones has been a huge benefactor to the Inova Health System Foundation over the years. I went to Don Ripley's office in person, to thank him for his generosity, and he told me about the Golf Outing," said Kuhar. "I was overwhelmed and honored that Calvert-Jones selected Inova for this good deed. This was completely unexpected and a wonderful surprise. The generosity of Calvert-Jones and their desire to help children is very touching," she continued.
Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children was named one of the top 25 children's hospitals in the nation by Child Magazine, and was ranked the 24th best hospital in the nation, according to Consumers' Checkbook's two-year study of more than 1300 hospitals. Additionally, it was rated the best hospital in the region for high-risk pediatric surgery.
Anyone who has spent time in a hospital, especially when a child was involved, knows what a difficult experience it can be. Calvert-Jones wishes to thank all sponsors, players, and employees for their help in making this first annual golf outing a tremendous success. It's a privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give back to our community. We sincerely hope to make a difference in the lives of both children and adults across the Northern Virginia beyond.