Golf Fundraiser Supports Therapeutic Services at RISE Center

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The RISE Tournament of Champions benefiting The University of Alabama’s RISE Center will be held April 25-26 at NorthRiver Yacht Club.

The tournament is a four-person scramble, handicaps required, with shotgun starts at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. both days.

“RISE Center is the only RISE program in the country that does not charge tuition to children receiving its services,” said Andi Gillen, director of the UA RISE Center. “That’s the driving force behind our fundraising efforts.”

The program costs about $20,000 per child each year. While it does receive funding from UA, an endowment and has contracts with local school systems, fundraisers like the golf tournament are crucial to the school’s success.

Registration for the golf tournament starts at $2,500 for a four-person team. Morning and afternoon prizes that include televisions, paddle boards and golf accessories will be awarded to the top four teams with the best gross and net scores. Golfers will also receive a gift upon check-in, and lunch will be provided.

UA Head Football Coach Nick Saban and other “champions” will be on hand for the event.

For more information about the tournament and to register, phone RISE at 205-348-7931.

In addition to the tournament, golfers and guests are invited to CHIP in for RISE from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  April 25 at the Yacht Club at NorthRiver. That event is open to the public and includes a silent auction and light refreshments. Gene Stallings, former UA head football coach, will be the special guest.

The silent auction will include Alabama memorabilia, artwork and vacation packages, among other items.

Tickets for CHIP in for RISE are $30 for individuals and $50 for couples and can be purchased at the door. Those registered for the golf tournament will receive one ticket to the event.

NorthRiver Yacht Club is located at 3100 Yacht Club Way NE in Tuscaloosa.

The RISE Center, part of UA’s College of Human Environmental Sciences, serves children with disabilities and their typically developing peers. The nationally recognized program provides an early childhood education that enriches the lives of infants and preschoolers with and without special needs. RISE is also dedicated to excellence in service, research and teaching. The preschool program not only benefits families in the community, but it serves as a practicum and internship site for students from UA and other colleges.