The 37th Annual Friends of MCC Foundation Golf Invitational recently raised $115,000 for student scholarships and programs. The event, held June 10 at Bull Valley Golf Club, takes place annually to further the Foundation's mission to provide financial support to MCC students, making education accessible and attainable through student scholarships.
“We’re so thankful for the support we receive each year from our sponsors and golfers,” said Brian DiBona, Executive Director of the Foundation. “Because of generous contributions like the ones raised at this event, we’re able to make a difference in the lives of so many.”
The Foundation has budgeted to award over $1 million in scholarships and program funding in the coming year.
“This is an extraordinary accomplishment that can only happen through the support of our community,” added DiBona. “It not only impacts the students themselves, but it benefits our community and local economy when more people have access to further education.”
College president Dr. Clint Gabbard opened the event with some welcoming remarks, then scholarship recipient Abby Balfanz (Johnsburg High School) spoke about the impact of receiving support from the Foundation.
The outing included lunch, 18 holes of golf in a scramble format, and a reception featuring prizes, auction items, and an awards presentation. At the reception, MCC scholarship recipient Victoria Weger also shared how scholarships have made a positive impact in her life.
120 golfers participated in this year’s event. The winning foursome from LRS Recycles came in at 7 under par and was comprised of Mike Mologousis, Jim Dubay, Don Duffy, and Cris Manley. They were awarded the TC Industries Champion’s Trophy at the reception to recognize their tournament win.
The Presenting Sponsor of the event was the Foglia Family Foundation. Also supporting the event were the following organizations: Demonica Kemper Architects and Robbins Schwartz as Reception Sponsors; Old National Bank as Breakfast Sponsor; Aptar Group, Pepper Construction, and 365 Equipment and Supply as Player Gift Sponsors; Crystal Lake Bank & Trust, Coilcraft, HRGreen, the LeCoque Family Foundation, MLCV Investments, Miller Verchota, and Scot Forge as Tournament Sponsors; Kishwaukee Brewing Co. as Cart Sponsor; Snap-On and The Harvard State Bank as Beverage Cart Sponsors; 20/10 Engineering Group, American Community Bank & Trust, Northern Trust, and Pavement Solutions as Pin Flag and Hole Sponsors; Alliance Contractors, Eccezion, KI, LRS Recycles, and Sikich as Hole Sponsors; Harvard Ford as Hole-in-One Sponsor; and Sponsored Foursomes by Associated Electrical Contractors, Chicago Title, Christopher Merrell, Coilcraft, FirstMid Bank, Home State Bank, LandAirSea Systems, LRS Recycles, Mike Klingenberg, Pavement Solutions, Weiler Engineering, LRS Recycles, JA Frate, Pavement Solutions, Sikich, and Tess Reinhard. Many other local organizations donated auction items, food, or beverages.
Thanks to the generosity of their sponsors and donors, the Friends of MCC Foundation has recently been able to award more scholarships than ever. In Fiscal Year 2024, the Foundation awarded more than $760,000 in scholarships to over 840 students.
For more information on the event, call the Friends of MCC Foundation Office at (815) 479-7510 or visit the website.