Gather Federal Credit Union Marketing Manager Terri Kaniho said a lot of credit goes to Gather FCU’s Michael Garcia, who does a great job organizing golf tournaments.
“Michael chaired the golf committee that raised all these funds for the contribution to the Wilcox Health,” Kaniho said. “He must be a golfer to know how to do this.”
Gather FCU hosted its 22nd annual Charity Golf Tournament Saturday at the Puakea Golf Course, with additional buzz created by the Jack Harter Helicopters craft making the golf ball drop.
“This was very successful,” Garcia said. “There was a lot of activity from people anxious to get the winning ball.”
Through the generous contributions from sponsors, a $10,000 Miracle Match from CO-OP Financial Services, prize donors, golf participants and community members, the tournament raised $50,000 for the Wilcox Medical Center Emergency Department &Trauma Center renovation project.
The $50,000 contribution is part of a $150,000 pledge Gather FCU made in December 2018 toward the $5 million renovation project. The goal was to reach $150,000 in four years. Kaniho said this year’s tournament was so successful Gather was able to reach its pledged goal in just three years.
The contribution will fund three specialty rooms — two OB/GYN rooms and one pediatric room — for the work that is scheduled to be completed for the spring of 2022.
“Our emergency and trauma care are a lifeline for the Kaua‘i community,” said Jen Chahanovich, president and CEO of Wilcox Medical Center and CEO of Kaua‘i Medical Clinic. “We are so thankful to Gather Federal Credit Union for their continued support of Wilcox Medical Center over the years.”
For the past 21 years, Gather FCU has hosted a charity golf event benefiting the Wilcox Health Foundation for pediatric services on Kaua‘i via the Kapi‘olani Children’s Miracle Network. The total amount contributed to the foundation is more than $647,000.
“We feel so fortunate to have had this opportunity to be a part of this project towards providing care and keeping Kaua‘i’s families together,” said Gather FCU President and CEO Tess Shimabukuro.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
