Golf FORE a Great Cause!

On Tuesday, June 22^nd, golfers took to the green at Cochecho Country Club in Dover for the 27^th Annual Wentworth-Douglass Charity Classic presented by UnitedHealthcare. The event raises funds for programs and equipment at the Women and Children’s Center. This was the largest tournament in the event’s history. The tournament sold out just six weeks after registration opened in March, prompting organizers to offer a double shot gun start for the first time with morning and afternoon start times to accommodate interested golfers.

“We are thrilled with the response,” said M. Jacqueline Eastwood, Chair of the Wentworth-Douglass Foundation Board of Directors. “This event raises critical funds for the Women and Children’s Center that allows our clinical team to provide the highest level of care to pregnant and post-partum mothers and their babies.” Eastwood continues, “we are grateful to our community, our corporate sponsors, our golfers and volunteers who helped make this our largest, most successful tournament to date. We are thrilled to announce we have raised $256,386, a 12 percent increase over 2020. This generous support makes an incredible impact for our smallest and most vulnerable patients.”

The Charity Classic welcomed more than 174 golfers for a great day of 18-holes of golf at Cochecho Country Club. Morning golfers teed up for the 8 AM start followed by an awards luncheon and program. Afternoon golfers enjoyed a separate awards dinner and program to celebrate. Both groups had the chance to win a raffle prize and bid on trips, weekend getaways, spa packages and other items during a live auction and through the online auction sponsored by Newburyport Bank.

The winners of the Charity Classic received a trophy and green jackets. The 2021 winning foursome came in 18 under par and was represented by Chad Kageleiry (Summit Land Development), John Sullivan (Summit Land Development), Larry Raiche (Raiche & Company, CPAs) and Brett Wilson (Oracle).

Fund-A-Need Program

Presented by Newburyport Bank

A favorite tradition of the Charity Classic is the Fund-A-Need program, which raises funds for specific strategic needs of the Women and Children’s Center. This year, the goal of the Fund-A-Need was to raise $20,000 to purchase a Rapid Transfuser and Infant Warmer; both critical pieces of equipment to save the lives of mothers experiencing post-partum hemorrhaging and newborn babies in distress.

“We are humbled by the support generated for our Fund-A-Need Program,” said Geoffrey Ness, President and CEO of Nessit, Wentworth-Douglass Foundation Board Member, and Co-Chair of the Wentworth-Douglass Charity Classic Committee. “Our goal was to raise $20,000 and I am pleased to share that we raised over $32,000 from this generous group of golfers!”

Ness states that with the extra funds they will purchase several ‘halo bassinets’ for Women and Children’s Center. This mobile bassinet can be positioned over or alongside a hospital bed drastically decreasing the risk of infant falls or drops. It allows a mother to care for her infant safely and securely and is especially helpful after a cesarean delivery when movement is limited.

Wentworth-Douglass Hospital’s Women & Children’s Center

Comprehensive Birthing, Pediatric & Women’s Health Services

Raising funds to help the youngest patients in our community has been at the heart of Wentworth-Douglass’s golf tournament from the beginning. The Women and Children’s Center offers a full range of medical, surgical, diagnostic and therapeutic services for children, from infancy through adolescence. As a Baby Friendly designated hospital, we welcome more than 1,300 babies each year, making us the most popular birth center on the Seacoast. Our expert, compassionate team of OB/GYNs, midwives, pediatric specialists, lactation consultants, child life specialists, social workers, and others offers truly comprehensive care for moms, babies and families in our community.

Corporate Sponsors

Thank you to our 2021 Corporate Sponsors for helping make this event a success!

Make an impact for children & families in our community with your sponsorship today! Opportunities range from $250 to $15,000. By supporting this event, your company gains visibility and exposure to an engaged audience of 150+ business leaders and community members.