Grandmother is grateful for AmFam Champ
During the event, we’re happy to highlight the work of our volunteers, and the impact the Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation grant has had on the local community. Each volunteer has unique reasons for why they spend their week at the tournament. We hope to highlight their stories and show appreciation for contributing to the tournament’s success in raising money for local non-profits and the American Family Children’s Hospital.
On June 23, 2010, in a small Wisconsin town, 26-month-old Scarlet was in a near fatal car accident. She was transported by helicopter to American Family Children’s Hospital where she was cared for in the pediatric ICU for two weeks. While she was in the hospital, Scarlet’s grandmother, Margaret Draper, spent the days and evenings at her bedside, witnessing the incredible care provided to her granddaughter.
Draper worked at American Family Insurance as a governance administrator when they announced the inaugural American Family Insurance Championship tournament. When she learned American Family Children’s Hospital was one of the tournament’s beneficiaries, she quickly volunteered for the tournament to show her gratitude for the hospital and the foundation’s support during Scarlet’s recovery.
Advanced medical care from American Family Children’s Hospital
“They did extraordinary things for my granddaughter, Scarlet, and anything I can do to help give back is the reason I’m here,” said Draper. “The bills were enormous, and there’s no way you could ever pay back for the care that Scarlet received.”
With the help of remarkable care from the hospital staff, Scarlet was able to make a full recovery. Today, she is 13 years old and living a healthy, normal life. She joined the track team for her school, all while maintaining good grades.
Volunteering doesn’t require golf expertise
Despite having little to no knowledge of golf, Draper enjoys volunteering her time at the tournament. She spends as much time as she can at the course during the week, sometimes clocking over 50 hours of work.
“I don’t golf, and I don’t know how to hold a golf club, so I learned a whole new language when I started volunteering,” said Draper. “Before the tournament I package uniforms and ensure they are ready for volunteers to pick up. During the tournament I have done a variety of jobs including driving the disability shuttle. My husband had mobility issues, so it’s important to me that we provide this level of support.”
Excitement and gratitude drive her motivation
Over the 5 years volunteering for the American Family Insurance Championship, Draper said her favorite memory was seeing the excitement from fans when she scanned their tickets her first year at the tournament.
“Seeing their excitement brought to life everything that we spent months planning and working towards,” she said. “I also love talking to people on the carts in order to get a feel for why they’re here, how happy they are and how impressed they are with the organization. It really warms my heart.”
Draper will continue to volunteer at the tournament as long as she can to show her appreciation for the hospital staff and Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation. Thanks to the grant, many other children like Scarlet will receive lifesaving care at the American Family Children's Hospital, without the added burden of costly medical bills.
See this story on why Margaret volunteers from NBC15
In its first five years (including funds distributed despite the cancellation of the 2020 event due to COVID-19), the American Family Insurance Championship has provided proceeds of $10.2 million via contributions to the American Family Children’s Hospital and grants to more than 400 charitable organizations through the Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation. Many people travel to University Ridge each year to volunteer their time at the tournament. We are grateful for their commitment to the success of the event and recognize they each have unique reasons for joining.
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About the American Family Insurance Championship
The American Family Insurance Championship was created in 2016 by American Family Insurance, PGA TOUR Champions and PGA player and Wisconsin native Steve Stricker. Since its inception, the championship and associated events have raised $10.2 million for the American Family Children’s Hospital and other charities. The 2021 championship will be held June 5-13 at the University Ridge Golf Course in Madison, Wisconsin. For more information: Web: amfamchampionship.com; Twitter: @AmFamChamp; Facebook: American Family Insurance Championship; Instagram: amfamchampionship #AmFamChamp
About PGA TOUR Champions
PGA TOUR Champions is a membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older, including 34 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Tour’s mission is to provide financial opportunities for its players, entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back and generate significant charitable and economic impact in tournament communities. Follow PGA TOUR Champions online at PGATOUR.com, at facebook.com/PGATOURChampions, on Twitter @ChampionsTour and on Instagram @pgatourchampions.
All events are televised in the United States, with most receiving complete coverage on Golf Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA TOUR Champions. Tournament programming is available via 25+ TV linear partners in 145+ countries and territories, with 25 channels carrying long-form and/or highlights coverage, and 200+ hours of live coverage distributed in 135+ countries and territories. Programming is also available via the OTT platform GOLFTV powered by PGA TOUR in every market outside of the United States, excluding China and Korea, with live coverage distributed in 130+ countries and territories.