Monthly Archives: September 2014

RGS Golf Outing wrap up…

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Chris Crawford '96 and Eric Handley '97

Chris Crawford ’96 and Eric Handley ’97

Note: Steven Spychalski ’96 and Matt Massucci ’96 started the R. Gregory Swedo Foundation in memory of their Gamma Zeta brother Greg Swedo ’96 who was tragically killed in a hit and run accident in November 2000. The foundation funds scholarships honoring the schools Greg attended, Fremd High School and the University of Illinois. Here’s a wrap up sent in by Matt regarding this August’s golf outing…

We wrapped up another successful R Gregory Swedo Foundation (www.gregoryswedo.com) Golf Outing in August (our 13th event). We had an impressive roster of golfers, sponsors, volunteers, and families at this year’s event. There were over 160 golfers, 15+ volunteers, and another 20+ families at this years Golf Outing & BBQ. We raised nearly $11,000 for the RGS Foundation! In the 13 years of the event, we’ve now raised over $200,000 and have awarded 9 scholarships.

As usual, there was a strong Gamma Zeta presence – over 30 golfers (and representing 15 of the foursomes). Gamma Zeta’s also were responsible for nearly half of the corporate sponsors (Hirewell, Sayers, William A Randolph, Energy.me, CMC Advisory Group, Brian Welch / State Farm, and Scott Augustine / Derse). Unfortunately, its been several years since a Gamma Zeta has won the event, but John Bucklar’s (96) team did finish second after winning a four-way shoot out. We had ATOs ranging from 95s to 2013s. It was a great event, and we’d love to get an even bigger turn out next year. Next year’s event is already on the books – 8/15/2015.

Matt Massucci ‘96

Gamma Zeta’s Moms, Alumni and Undergrads team up to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

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Dante Ciccone '02 and cousin Danica

Dante Ciccone ’02 and cousin Danica

We recently received a nice thank you and acknowledgement letter from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society addressed to our undergraduate president Jimmy Kowalczyk for ATO’s donation of $6,360. This donation is a direct result of the silent auction that our undergraduate members coordinated at Mom’s Day last spring. THANKS to all of our ATO moms who participated in that event and made generous donations.

Also, Dante Cicone ’02, Joseph Patrevito ’02.5 and Justin Ross ’02 were all members of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Poker Run Organizing Committee for the fourth strait year and played key leadership roles in assuring the success this past August of the event that raised a record $87,000 for the society. In their four years of leadership, they have raised $245,000… $21,000 of that has come directly from Gamma Zetas. Charlie DeFranco, Christian Barron and Parker Pevitz, ATO Gamma Zeta undergrads volunteered and helped support Dante, Joe and Justin on the day of the event.

LLS helps blood cancer patients live better, longer lives.

  • in the 1960s a child’s chance of surviving leukemia was 3%, today, 90% can expect to survive into their adulthood
  • since the 1960s Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients rates have more than doubled to 88%

Amazing breakthroughs are happening every day from the support from the money raised at events like the Poker Run.

This was a great example of ATO Gamma Zeta parents, alumni and undergrads coming together to support a great cause. We hope to build upon this fantastic example in the years to come and do it even bigger next time.

Awesome job guys!!