$500,000 Raised for Wounded Veterans through the 7th Annual Move United Warfighter’s Charity Challenge Presented by Lockton® Companies
Lockton Companies Northeast, in partnership with Move United Warfighters, hosted 285 golfers and 59 wounded veterans at Trump National Golf Club, Bedminster, raising funds to provide adaptive sports for severely wounded warfighters.
BEDMINSTER NJ - September 12 2022
By: Nick Ribeiro
285 golfers, including 59 wounded veterans, enjoyed a perfect fall day at one of the nation's top courses, Trump National Golf Club, Bedminster, for the 7th Annual Move United Warfighters Charity Challenge, presented by Lockton Companies. $500,000 was raised to support the recovery and rehabilitation of some of our nation's most severely wounded veterans through adaptive sports. This was the second year in a row that this event has raised over half a million for Move United Warfighters and has raised nearly $3M since the event's inception in 2016.
BEDMINSTER NJ - September 12 2022
By: Nick Ribeiro
285 golfers, including 59 wounded veterans, enjoyed a perfect fall day at one of the nation's top courses, Trump National Golf Club, Bedminster, for the 7th Annual Move United Warfighters Charity Challenge, presented by Lockton Companies. $500,000 was raised to support the recovery and rehabilitation of some of our nation's most severely wounded veterans through adaptive sports. This was the second year in a row that this event has raised over half a million for Move United Warfighters and has raised nearly $3M since the event's inception in 2016.
Gary Giulietti addresses the crowd.
The evolution of this event has been somewhat of a personal journey for one of the event founders, Gary Giulietti, President and Partner at Lockton Companies. Giulietti's own father served in World War II and fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima. As he began researching and learning more about this unprecedented time in American history, he felt connected to the veterans who put their lives on the line to serve our country. He wanted to do more to help them with the challenges they face stemming from their time at war. Beginning in 2016, along with his son, David Giulietti, and fellow Lockton President and Partner Josh Olson, the Warfighters Charity Challenge golf tournament was born.
"The more time I spend with these courageous servicemen and women, the more their experiences pull on my heartstrings and inspire me to continue doing more to support them. When you have the opportunity to speak to these American heroes and learn about what they have gone through, it's impossible not to feel an obligation to help. Partnering with Move United Warfighters has given us the opportunity to assist in providing rehabilitation to our nation's wounded veterans who have sustained physical and emotional injuries due to the devastating effects of war," said Gary Giulietti.
"The more time I spend with these courageous servicemen and women, the more their experiences pull on my heartstrings and inspire me to continue doing more to support them. When you have the opportunity to speak to these American heroes and learn about what they have gone through, it's impossible not to feel an obligation to help. Partnering with Move United Warfighters has given us the opportunity to assist in providing rehabilitation to our nation's wounded veterans who have sustained physical and emotional injuries due to the devastating effects of war," said Gary Giulietti.
Gary Giulietti attacks the green while wounded warrior teammate, Ed Salau, watches on.
At the event, teams were grouped into foursomes, with a wounded veteran added to each team. During the five hours, the players enjoyed world-class food and drinks, one of the nation's best golf courses, and camaraderie. Later, all attendees sat together at dinner as warfighters shared their stories. Many found it extremely meaningful to hear what our nation's heroes have been through and for everyone there to truly see what a worthy cause they were supporting.
Generous sponsorships from organizations, such as AMWins Brokerage, CenterSquare Real Estate Investment, Halmar International, and over 50 other donors, contests on the green, raffle tickets, and auctions, including a silent auction of sports memorabilia and a live auction for golf trips all over the world, allowed Lockton to raise such an impressive amount of funds. In addition, PGA Golf Pro Pat McGowan, Charity Golf International entertainers Andrew Eigner and Evan Ogule, and Kaira Martin from BackSwing Golf Events attended the event to help raise money by using their drives for a donation amount.
Said fellow founder Josh Olson, "It's an honor and a privilege to support Move United Warfighters as they continue to provide sports rehabilitation for our nation's wounded warfighters, who, along with their families, sacrifice so much for our freedom as Americans. Treating them to a day of golf is the least we can do to show our appreciation, and with help from our amazing sponsors, raising funds to help these American heroes continue to heal is a humbling and gratifying experience."
One warfighter who participated in the event said, "Thank you for always giving others hope to smile and helping us to see we are not alone."
Another veteran said, "It is extremely tough for me to engage in crowds and with people I do not know. The welcoming atmosphere enabled me to engage and be present. The golf program even sparked my 12-year-old daughter's interest, and she is taking now taking lessons, so she and I have started to practice together. Thank you for your tireless efforts to make these events happen."
Lockton would like to thank all the sponsors, volunteers, and wounded warfighters who continue to make this event a success. A special thank you goes out to Kathy Laffey, Event Manager. Without her unwavering devotion to the cause and relationships with our warfighters, this event would not happen.
Next year's event will be held on September 11, 2023, where we will fittingly get to celebrate Patriot Day with some of our nation's bravest heroes as we commemorate the loss of lives of those who died in the 2001 terrorist attacks.
Generous sponsorships from organizations, such as AMWins Brokerage, CenterSquare Real Estate Investment, Halmar International, and over 50 other donors, contests on the green, raffle tickets, and auctions, including a silent auction of sports memorabilia and a live auction for golf trips all over the world, allowed Lockton to raise such an impressive amount of funds. In addition, PGA Golf Pro Pat McGowan, Charity Golf International entertainers Andrew Eigner and Evan Ogule, and Kaira Martin from BackSwing Golf Events attended the event to help raise money by using their drives for a donation amount.
Said fellow founder Josh Olson, "It's an honor and a privilege to support Move United Warfighters as they continue to provide sports rehabilitation for our nation's wounded warfighters, who, along with their families, sacrifice so much for our freedom as Americans. Treating them to a day of golf is the least we can do to show our appreciation, and with help from our amazing sponsors, raising funds to help these American heroes continue to heal is a humbling and gratifying experience."
One warfighter who participated in the event said, "Thank you for always giving others hope to smile and helping us to see we are not alone."
Another veteran said, "It is extremely tough for me to engage in crowds and with people I do not know. The welcoming atmosphere enabled me to engage and be present. The golf program even sparked my 12-year-old daughter's interest, and she is taking now taking lessons, so she and I have started to practice together. Thank you for your tireless efforts to make these events happen."
Lockton would like to thank all the sponsors, volunteers, and wounded warfighters who continue to make this event a success. A special thank you goes out to Kathy Laffey, Event Manager. Without her unwavering devotion to the cause and relationships with our warfighters, this event would not happen.
Next year's event will be held on September 11, 2023, where we will fittingly get to celebrate Patriot Day with some of our nation's bravest heroes as we commemorate the loss of lives of those who died in the 2001 terrorist attacks.
About Lockton
What makes Lockton stand apart is also what makes us better: independence. Lockton's private ownership empowers its 8,500 Associates doing business in over 125 countries to focus solely on clients' risk and insurance needs. With expertise that reaches around the globe, Lockton delivers the deep understanding needed to accomplish remarkable results. For more information, please visit our website at lockton.com.
About Move United Warfighters
Move United Warfighters offers sports rehabilitation for veterans and members of the Armed Services with physical disabilities. Since its inception by members of the 10th Mountain Division to serve injured Vietnam veterans, Move United Warfighters has proudly served more than 16,000 wounded warriors and their family members, including those injured in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, at no cost to the warfighter or family. Sports make us victorious, more resilient and stronger every day. So shift the narrative and join forces with us. Visit us at moveunitedsport.org/get-involved/warfighters.
What makes Lockton stand apart is also what makes us better: independence. Lockton's private ownership empowers its 8,500 Associates doing business in over 125 countries to focus solely on clients' risk and insurance needs. With expertise that reaches around the globe, Lockton delivers the deep understanding needed to accomplish remarkable results. For more information, please visit our website at lockton.com.
About Move United Warfighters
Move United Warfighters offers sports rehabilitation for veterans and members of the Armed Services with physical disabilities. Since its inception by members of the 10th Mountain Division to serve injured Vietnam veterans, Move United Warfighters has proudly served more than 16,000 wounded warriors and their family members, including those injured in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, at no cost to the warfighter or family. Sports make us victorious, more resilient and stronger every day. So shift the narrative and join forces with us. Visit us at moveunitedsport.org/get-involved/warfighters.
