Stellar Foundation Golf Classic Raises $50,000 for Local Charities in Tough Economy

-Proceeds to Benefit Hope Haven, Community Pedscare-
Participant Scores Hole in One at Event!

Stellar Foundation Golf Classic 2009

Jacksonville, Fla. - (April 14, 2009) -Stellar, an international design, engineering, construction and mechanical services firm, donated $20,000 apiece to two local nonprofit organizations at its annual Stellar Foundation Golf Classic at the St. Johns Golf and Country Club on April 3rd, 2009. The fundraiser was enormously successful in spite of a challenging economic climate for the construction business. This year Stellar has chosen Hope Haven Children's Clinic and Family Center and Community PedsCare to be the major recipients of the tournament proceeds. Adding new excitement to the event this year was Golf Classic participant Mike Rolewicz of On Call Staffing, who scored a "hole in one" and won a Mercedes C class lease which was generously donated by Brumos Mercedes and Mercedes of Orange Park. Rolewicz was approximately halfway through his round when he scored the "hole in one" on Hole 13. The shot cleared 173 yards over water.

Hope Haven provides educational, psychological and related therapeutic services for children, families and young adults with special needs. The $20,000 donation received from Stellar will go toward a Handicap Accessible Playground that will be used primarily by youth and young adults enrolled in their "after-school" type program BASICS. Many of those enrolled in the BASICS program have Down Syndrome, autism, developmental delay, muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy. "This playground is badly needed and will provide a welcome a addition to the indoor activities," said Laurie Price, Executive Director of Hope Haven.

Community PedsCare is the pediatric hospice and palliative care program of Community Hospice of Northeast Florida. The Stellar Foundation's $20,000 donation will fund the program's overall mission of providing essential medial, emotional and spiritual support to an average of 100 babies and children per day. "By supporting Community PedsCare, Stellar is helping to ensure that these children and their families are getting the support and care they need to manage pain and symptoms, enjoy quality time and create special memories," said DeAnn J. Collins, Community Hospice Foundation Executive Director.

The Golf Classic raised a total of $50,000. The remaining monies from the event will be allocated to other local nonprofit groups to be determined.

"Our generous vendors and partners we work with every day at job sites across the country all stepped up to participate in the Foundation Classic," said Ali Korman, Director of Public Relations and Community Affairs for Stellar. "The money we donated is a direct result of their generosity and dedication to giving back to the community. In a time when money is tight and many nonprofits are struggling to stay afloat, the Foundation is gratified that our partners have stepped forward to help assist make a positive difference in Northeast Florida."