August News from the Spirit

Celebrating Springfield's Biggest Best and Brightest!

Despite the crisis, we thought it was important to try to continue with some type of normalcy.

Third time's the charm! The Spirit of Springfield Golf Classic was originally going to be held in June. Then it was going to be in July. Now, it will be held on September 25^th. Due to guidelines set forth by Governor Baker, the tournament is limited to 100 golfers, but we can have unlimited sponsors, from Eagle to Tee Sponsors.

This is the first event of the year that will generate revenue for the Spirit of Springfield so the success of the tournament is paramount.

We hope you will support our efforts and the organization. #supportthespirit

-- Judy Matt

President

Golf Classic Confirmed!

After delaying the tournament twice, the Spirit of Springfield has confirmed Friday, September 25, 2020, as the date for the annual Golf Classic. It will be played at Franconia Golf Course on Dwight Road in Springfield. The morning will begin with the friendly putting competition between area mayors at 9:30am.

The shotgun tournament is limited to 100 golfers, but the support from area business is unlimited. Sponsor opportunities begin with the Eagle Sponsor and go to tee sponsors. New this year is the opportunity for a business to present the trophy to the Mayor’s Cup putting contest. As the sponsor, there will be lots of photo opps.

On the course, there will also be an air cannon, sponsored by the Springfield Business Improvement District, as well as contests for the longest drive and closest to the pin.

This is the Spirit of Springfield’s first public event in 2020 and the proceeds are greatly needed.

The Spirit of Springfield Golf Classic is supported by an enthusiastic committee including John Hesslein (chair), Anthony Cignoli, Tony Gleason, Peter Lappin, Paul Marcelina, Chris Russell, and Susan Walsh.

Bone Marrow for Bryce

Bryce is Michael Linton’s 5-year old son. Michael is the President of Michael’s Party Rentals and has been an avid supporter of the Spirit of Springfield for the past 20 years. His tents, tables, chairs, and sometimes grills, are at most Spirit of Springfield events. Michael has been with the Spirit of Springfield in both good times and difficult ones. Now is the time to lend him support for his family.

In November, Bryce was diagnosed with Hyper-IgM, an extremely rare disorder in which the immune system does not function properly. For Bryce, this means he does not have an immune system.

“If he doesn’t get a bone marrow transplant or if the gene cells editing doesn’t transpire, he will be faced with a severely shortened life span,” said Bryce’s father, Michael Linton.

Doctors believe the most likely match for Bryce will be a person between the ages of 18-44. Michael and his wife, Julie, are using “Be the Match” to find a bone marrow donor. It is a non-profit organization that helps people in critical need of a transplant and relies on the national registry to connect donors with patients.

Join the bone marrow registry for Bryce! Spread the word!

Thank You Chief Walts!

For years, Chief Master Sergeant Maryann Walts has been the primary contact for many, including the Spirit of Springfield, at the 104^th Fighter Wing of the Massachusetts Air National Guard. She served on Springfield’s September 11^th Monument Committee. In 2016, she was honored as the Marshal for the Parade of the Big Balloons and she was often seen at Bright Nights to welcome members of the military.

Congratulations Chief Walts on your retirement! Thank you for your service to your country and community.

In this Issue

• Golf Classic Confirmed!

• Bone Marrow for Bryce

• Thank You Chief Walts

• Guest Column

John Hesslein

Spirit of Springfield Director

• Sponsor a Tee

Guest Column

John Hesslein,

Chair, Spirit of Springfield Golf Classic

Director, Spirit of Springfield

All the hard work and tough decisions made by Spirit of Springfield President, Judy Matt, and her team since March 2020 are paying off! It starts with our very first, CDC compliant, socially distant board meeting together this August. We are extremely excited to come back and continue our work as a team to promote the resiliency of the City of Springfield and its citizens in the wake of a Worldwide Pandemic.

Our first project is the Spirit of Springfield Golf Classic to be held Friday, September 25, at Franconia Golf Course. Shotgun Start is at 10am.

The Spirit of Springfield Golf Classic will be completely compliant with all City, Commonwealth and Federal Pandemic guidelines and limiting registration to 100 golfers to maintain a safe distance.

We may be a bit a part this year with no dinner or live auction…but the fun absolutely remains! Every player will get a delicious fresh box lunch and beverages, and swag bag offering golfers among other gifts, a golf shirt, valuable gift cards to local restaurants throughout Springfield to use anytime. The Mayor’s Cup will be up for grabs at 9:30am. Mayor’s Sarno, Reichelt, and Sapelli have confirmed their participation.

What we need is you and your support to make this year’s event a real success. Even more than ever Spirit of Springfield events like the Golf Classic become critically important to maintain both the excellent Spirit of Springfield team and the each of the annual events that bring us all together as a community and grow our collective vitality.

We need your golfers to register! Just go to spiritofspringfield.org. From there you see a menu of sponsor and sponsorship opportunities as well as foursome registrations.

Even if you are not a golfer or cannot golf on September 25th, we need you to register too! Please consider the purchase of a Foursome Gift Package for round of golf for four at a later date, four golf shirts, four $25 restaurant gift cards, and recognition at tournament. It’s a great way to support the Spirit of Springfield and get all the benefits of actually being there if you cannot.

Please go to the Spirit of Springfield website and register today.

We thank you all for your past, present and future support of the Spirit of Springfield. We clearly understand just how important spending your dollars is in today’s unpredictable environment.

We are thankful that you are considering the Spirit of Springfield with your contribution. We are fortunate and grateful to have been able to count our loyal supporters in both good and tougher times. We are equally as appreciative to welcome more new friends and supporters as we look beyond 2020.