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In memory of Amy
Family holds annual golf outing to raise money for Make-A-Wish
“My son had talked about it for a long time,” said Jo-An Simon of Grand Blanc, Amy’s mother. “It had been 10 years and he said it was time for us to do something.” Three years later the Simon family is preparing for the third annual Amy Simon Memorial Golf Scramble, supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan, on June 25. The scramble will be held at The Jewel of Grand Blanc, 5270 Perry Rd., in Grand Blanc. The organization so far has raised $7,000 for Make-A-Wish and Jo- An Simon said they hope to reach $12,000 this year. “It costs Make-A-Wish about $3,000 to grant a wish,” she said. “Last year we made about $4,000 so that paid for about one wish.” Amy, the daughter of Richard and Jo- An Simon of Grand Blanc, died of a brain tumor in 1998. At the time, they lived in Oregon Township in Lapeer County and Amy, 13, attended Davison Middle School. Jo-An Simon said the family had a memorable Make-A-Wish trip to Hawaii in 1997 and they hope to provide other critically ill children and their families with the same opportunity. “They picked us up in a limo and took us to Bishop (Airport),” she said. “I think (Amy) liked that more than the trip.” The family spent a week in Hawaii on the island of Maui and enjoyed their hotel, a luau and other special gifts as part of the trip. “People were so good to us. We wanted to thank them for the good thing they did for us,” Jo-An Simon said. “I had never been to a golf outing before. My husband and (son) Chris are golfers. It has been a very rewarding thing to do.” Chris Simon said the outing was an idea that came to him soon after the death of his sister. He said an individual helping with construction of his house in 1999 couldn’t come one day because he was going to a golf outing for Make- A-Wish. “It was a 10-year idea brewing in my head,” he said. “Now that we’re rolling in our third year, there’s no turning back.” Like his mother, Chris said he wants to expand the foundation beyond a golf outing and Make-A-Wish to help other causes for a long time to come. This year Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan celebrates its 25th birthday and will grant the wishes of 400 kids. Over the years, the Foundation has granted more than 6,000 wishes. Besides helping a good cause, the benefit has also allowed the Simon family to reconnect with old friends and make a few new ones. Both Jo-An and Chris praised the support from friends and family in pulling off the annual golf outing. “The support has been tremendous,” he said.
Sponsorships and donations are also needed. Details: Call 810-241- 7668 or 810-845-0892, or go to their website at amysimonfoundation.lifeyo.com.
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