IGA Golf Tournament Raises $20,000 for Wounded Warrior Project!

 June 13, 2012 

When the IGA WWP drew to a close last year we immediately started looking for ways to make our 2012 program even more successful. One of the things we landed on was hosting a golf tournament to raise extra funds outside of the IGA Exclusive Brand product sales happening in IGA stores. All of our planning came to fruition on Monday when over 100 IGA retailers, wholesalers, Red Oval partners, vendors and wounded warriors arrived at the Cantigny golf course just outside Chicago for a full day and evening of fun, food and fellowship.

The rain that was predicted passed us by and it turned out to be a perfect day for golf, but the real story here is about our time spent with the 18 wounded warriors in attendance. Throughout the day we laughed and joked with the warriors on the golf course, then at the dinner later than night we had the true privilege of hearing their stories. When Andrew Music, a WWP spokesman and 8-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps, spoke to us about his service to our country and how WWP helped him begin life again following his traumatic injuries, everyone began to realize just how important IGA's WWP initiative truly is. The emotion in the room was simply overpowering. It really was an experience none of us will ever forget.

In the end, the IGA golf tournament left all of us enlightened and rededicated to the WWP cause. I'd like to thank everyone who supported the event through sponsorship, attendance or both. With your generous support, we were able to raise nearly $20,000 for WWP in one event!

If you weren't able to be there, I would ask you to take a moment to visit the IGA WWP microsite and read the wounded warrior stories you find there. It's true that it's not the same as hearing them in person but they are nonetheless extremely moving, and it will help you realize what we realized at this event: Our involvement with WWP is a unique and special opportunity that we're extremely lucky to be a part of.

Thank you WWP for allowing our IGA Alliance to have a positive impact on the lives of the people who have given so much to keep us safe. We look forward to working with you for many years to come.

And for all of you Alliance members out there—we'll see you at next year's golf tournament!

Thanks,

Wayne Altschul