MacDill golf tourney to support wounded servicemembers, families Published Sept. 25, 2009 By Nick Stubbs Thunderbolt editor MacDill AFB, Fla -- Golf is just a game of fun, a challenge and even a job for some, but never is the "greatest game ever played" so great as when it is the vehicle to help a worthy cause - like the "Tee up for our Troops" tournament set next month at MacDill's Bay Palms Golf Club. The event, set for Oct. 9, is to raise money for the Tampa Fisher House, which is a 16,000-square-foot, 21 bedroom home located next to the James A. Haley Veteran's Hospital. The house provides lodging for families of wounded servicemembers being treated at the hospital. The long recuperations and rehabilitation periods experienced by the recovering wounded make it difficult and expensive for family members who want to stay close, which is why the free Fisher House is so important. The facility depends entirely on volunteers and donations. A number of community members and corporate sponsors have joined as supporters of the tournament, entering teams of players. Cost for a corporate foursome is $750. Individuals can play for $125, and individual foursomes for $500. The day begins with a catered lunch, followed by a 1 p.m. tee time. An awards dinner with prizes follows. Call Valerie Casey at 813-317-8886 or Steve Manuel at 813-230-1210 to reserve a slot for your team. E-mail questions to: Valcasey@tampabay.rr.com or smanuel88@gmail.com Those who do not play golf, are encouraged to contribute by sponsoring a tee in honor of , or in memory of, a servicemember. Donations of gift certificates and prizes also are encouraged. All donations are tax deductible. "Ultimately, our goal is to heighten awareness of the needs of servicemen and women returning from overseas," said Ms. Casey, who is helping organize the event. "We hope you can help in some way." The Fisher House™ program is a unique private-public partnership that supports America's military in their time of need. The program recognizes the special sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and the hardships of military service by meeting a humanitarian need beyond that normally provided by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. Because members of the military and their families are stationed worldwide and must often travel great distances for specialized medical care, Fisher House Foundation donates "comfort homes", built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful of times - during the hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury. Because of the specialized ability of the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital's capability to care for and rehabilitate wounded warriors and veterans who have spinal and/or brain injuries, the Tampa Fisher House's mission is not only important, but very timely in today's campaigns for freedom. There is at least one Fisher House at every major military medical center to assist families in need and to ensure that they are provided with the comforts of home in a supportive environment. There are 43 Fisher Houses located on 18 military installations and 13 VA medical centers. Annually, the Fisher House program serves about 10,000 families, and have made available nearly 3 million days of lodging to family members since the program originated in 1990. By law, there is no charge for any family to stay at a Fisher House operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs; and Fisher House Foundation uses donations to reimburse the individual Fisher Houses operated by the Army, Navy, and Air Force. No family pays to stay at any Fisher House!