Mario Chalmers hosts annual fundraiser in Lawrence

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Approximately 120 golfers spent Monday afternoon at The Jayhawk Club in Lawrence raising money for a good cause at the Ninth Annual Mario V. Chalmers Foundation Golf Tournament hosted by former KU men’s basketball great Mario Chalmers.

The golf tourney ended an extended weekend of fundraising activities hosted by the Mario V. Chalmers Foundation. On Friday, Aug. 11, the organization hosted a VIP mixer at The Oread, followed by a bowling outing the following day at Royal Crest Lanes. Money raised from the goings-on went toward the construction of the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence Teen Center, which broke ground Aug. 10; Mario’s Closet, which assists with cancer patients through Lawrence Memorial Hospital; and his foundation.
 
“This shows the community still loves me,” Chalmers said. “They come out here and support. I try to come back as much as I can and do good events for the community. Boys and Girls Club is what got me started at a young age, somewhere to go and play basketball and stay off the streets. It’s good to reconnect with a program that gave you an opportunity to make a better life for yourself.”
 
At the mixer, the foundation presented Dr. Scott Ward, KU Associate Athletic Director – Student-Athlete Development, with the Heart of a Champion Award. A member of the KU athletic department since 2003, Ward fought a heart condition during the 2016-17 academic year. He has been instrumental in the progress of KU student-athletes both on and off the court with his main focus being with the Jayhawk volleyball and men’s basketball programs.
 
The 2008 NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, Chalmers was a three-time All-Big 12 selection in his three seasons at KU and was the 2007 co-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. Following his KU career, Chalmers became an NBA two-time champion with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013 and is a current member of the Memphis Grizzlies.
 
About the Mario V. Chalmers Foundation (from mariovchalmersfoundation.org)
The mission of the Mario V. Chalmers Foundation is to create and support community based programs that encourage the positive development of youth through sports and education and fund initiatives for breast cancer research and treatment. 
 
The Mario V. Chalmers Foundation youth initiatives and breast cancer awareness fundraisers are held throughout the year with exciting events such as golf tournaments, parties and summer basketball camps.

The Mario V. Chalmers Foundation strives to empower, inspire and enable youth to live healthy lifestyles, put education first and give back to their communities. Each activity supported by the Mario V. Chalmers Foundation will encourage youth to stay positive and remind them that in times of adversity…we must perform. 
 
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