(Quincy, IL) … Hannah Berman of Ponte Vedra, FL, has been named winner of the 2014 Pepsi Titan Little People’s “Spirit of Giving” Award .
The John Howerton “Spirit of Giving” award was established in 2010 in memory John Howerton, a long-time Little People’s volunteer and member of the Little People’s Advisory Team. John truly exemplified the ‘spirit of giving’ throughout his lifetime and as a member of the Little People’s Team. Honoring Howerton and his tradition of giving back, the winner of this annual award is recognized for their volunteer and charitable work in their own communities.
Berman, 16, of Ponte Vedra, FL, receives this award because of her organization and work with many charitable organizations, including the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and The First Tee of North Florida.
When she was just 12, Hannah started a fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s 65 Roses Charity Golf Classic called “Hitting it with Hannah”, in which she hit tee shots on a par-four for a $5 per person donation. All the money she raised that day went directly to fight CF, an organization near to her family’s hearts. Four years later, she continues this effort at the 65 Roses event, but her fundraiser has grown. She does this now for many other charity tournaments in her community, usually raising about $1000 each time with all the money going toward that organization.
Also at age 12, she set up a First Tee Donation Station at her club to support the North Florida First Tee Chapter. Members donate clubs, bags, shoes and clothes for the kids that want to learn golf but don’t have the equipment. The effort continues and over the last three years, they have raised more than $35,000 in equipment.
Cardboard City is another event in which she participates. This annual event, run by Jacksonville Family Promise, raises awareness for homelessness. People build cardboard box homes and sleep in them overnight – in November – to show others what it is like to be homeless. Hannah’s job is to spend time with the people who come out to support the cause and serve food – last year they served more than 300 people. She does it every year with as many friends and family as possible.
Because of her charitable work, Hannah has also been named a Finalist for the American Junior Golf Association’s President’s Leadership Award. She has also enrolled in the AJGA’s Birdies for Charity in their Leadership Links program. She set her initial goal at $1500 and reached that in three days, so upped her goal to $5000 and has already surpassed that. Consistent with the fundraisers she invented, her Birdies for Charity monies go to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and The First Tee of Jacksonville.
“I think it is really important to give back to my community because I realize how fortunate I am,” says Hannah. “With each charity I work with I have learned a lot about the many different needs people have and how hard they fight. While I truly do it for them, it really warms my heart to know that I can be a part of why these families, kids, and adults are able to feel better or live a better life!
“Most important, it is never a chore for me to volunteer. I realize how lucky I am, and giving back is and always will be from the bottom of my heart to help others,” she adds. “Giving back is part of my family’s culture and part of the game, and no matter how I perform on the course, I want to make sure my golf legacy is felt outside the ropes.”
Hannah received her “Spirit of Giving” Award on June 16 from Tournament Director Nan Ryan, at the annual Picnic dinner held in conjunction with the 41st Annual Pepsi Titan Little People’s Golf Championships in Quincy, IL.
About the Pepsi Titan Little People’s Golf Championship
The Little People’s Golf Championships Association is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization, made up of a Board of Directors and an Advisory Team of volunteer men and women dedicated to providing positive competition for young golfers from all over the World aged 3 through 17 through the Pepsi Titan Little People’s Golf Championships, and for men and women aged 18 through 22 through the Pepsi Titan LP Collegiate Golf Championships. The Mission of the Little People’s Golf Championships Association (LPGCA) is to provide a positive competitive environment for junior golfers and to assist in the growth and development of every young man or woman who seeks quality competition and/or a college scholarship through golf. By dedicating itself to this purpose, the Pepsi Titan Little People’s Golf Championships has built a reputation as one of the largest junior tournaments in the World.
Contact:
Pepsi Titan Little People’s Golf Championships
Nan Ryan
217-257-5718
