Imagine being eight years old, in second grade, and you’re battling some form of cancer. You didn’t ask for this, you have no control, you’re just a kid. Multiple doctor visits ensue, shots, scans, tests and more tests. At some point it gets to be too much and all you want to do is get away from it all.
For kids who find themselves in this situation Camp Esperanza is the place to be. It’s a summer camp created specifically for kids battling cancer who need an escape, an oasis devoid of people with charts and test results. For many of these kids this is the one week of the year they can truly let go and enjoy life. They can revitalize themselves in the Texas sun fishing, climbing and swimming, chilling out with other kids facing a similar plight.
After we lost my brother Steve to cancer more than twenty years ago we sought out a charity for whom we could raise money is his memory. We were led to The Bridewell Foundation and Camp Esperanza. Twenty years later, with the help of friends and family, we have raised more than $175,000 sending 348 kids to Camp Esperanza through the Steven G. Whitlock Memorial Golf Tournament.
American Surety Company is our title sponsor and The Professional Bondsmen of Texas has become our partner in managing the Steven G. Whitlock Memorial Golf Tournament. We’ve already seen the impact of PBT’s involvement when we increased our donation to Camp Esperanza last year to $26,500, up from $15,000 in 2008.
Having bail agents involved with this annual event makes the whole affair extra special. We receive donations and sponsorships from bail agents, not only from Texas but from across the country. Several commercial bail surety companies also participate by sponsoring a team of golfers, providing sponsorship or making a direct donation.
This year’s event will be held at the Woodhaven Country Club in Fort Worth on Wednesday, August 4. The event will kick off the 3rd Quarter Meeting of the Professional Bondsmen of Texas (agenda) being held at the Hilton Arlington August 5-7. Bail agents coming to town to participate in The Steven G. Whitlock are encouraged to attend the conference.
Those of you wishing to participate in this year’s event whether as a golfer, sponsor or contributor can do so by clicking online registration. All are welcome to participate and take part in the experience of raising money for a worthy cause. After all, it’s about the kids!
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