From a charity standpoint, the revamped format for the Mad Anthonys Charity Classic for Children was a success.
The tournament last month at Sycamore Hills, which was changed this year to include 12 LPGA players hosted by former Fort Wayne resident Amanda Blumenherst, raised a preliminary amount of $140,000 for the Mad Anthonys Children’s Hope House.
The amount raised June 17-18 was an increase of $25,000 over 2011’s total of $115,000.
“It was a new experience that a lot of our costs were shared over two days,” Mad Anthonys president Eric Ottinger said. “We did increase sponsorship dollars, but with the change in format we had some increased expenses as well, so we were real pleased at the end of the day to have those results and pretty blessed to try to get some more.
“We are pleased to have an increase over last year, with more to follow. It’s been the strongest we have generated recently, and now three years over $100,000.
“We are real pleased with the sponsorship and the community support.”
Ottinger said the number could increase as Heritage Food Service Group president Bruce Dye has promised to match any amount raised by Aug. 18, up to $350,000.
“We view this as the starting amount for this year,” Ottinger said. “We are still raising money through mid-August for any foundations, corporations and individuals who want to contribute further. We could receive a match from Heritage Food Service, which can obviously multiply the amount.”
The Mad Anthonys Children’s Hope House provides lodging and support services for families of children undergoing pediatric and neonatal treatment.
