Sedalia, MO — The Michael Ross Memorial Foundation Raises $110,000 For Bay Cliff Health Camp
By Bob Jones
The 11th Annual Michael Ross Memorial Foundation (MRMF) Golf Tournament and the Ditzfeld Transfer Summer Nationals were recently held in Sedalia, MO to raise funds in the name of the Michael Ross Memorial Foundation. Competitors from the World of Outlaws, NASCAR, NHRA along with various media members converged to participate in the MRMF Golf Tournament and the Ditzfeld Summer Nationals at the State Fair Speedway with all proceeds benefiting the MRMF. At the Ditzfeld Summer Nationals fans were treated to a full World of Outlaws program, the 360 Winged Outlaw Warriors and the MRMF Modified Celebrity Race. The MRMF Modified Celebrity race featured two-time event winner Clint Bowyer, NHRA’s Gary Scelzi, Randy LaJoie, Donny Schatz, Brady Bacon, Tim Shaffer, SpeedFreak’s Kenny Sargent, the RacinBoys Scott Traylor and the “Voice of the Outlaws” Johnny Gibson.
The Michael Ross Memorial Foundation was founded in honor of the son of Tony and Kathy Ross from American Compressed Steel, Inc. following Michael’s passing due to complications from tay-sachs disease. The MRMF is a non-profit charity organization supporting Bay Cliff Health Camp in Big Bay, Michigan. “When the totals came in we were very pleased to announce a donation to Bay Cliff for $110,000,” Ross said. “In the 11 years we’ve hosted the tournament and race, the MRMF has raised over $1,150,000 for Bay Cliff. It is amazing how much we’ve been able to raise for the camp and I can’t express enough how thankful I am to all of those who helped and participated in these events.”
Bay Cliff Health Camp is a six-week summer camp that assists severely handicapped children. The camp funding is raised to help remove financial burdens from the children’s families so the visits are completely covered including new wheel chairs, crutches or other medical equipment the children may need. The children participate in camp activities and are taught specific learning strategies to aid them and their handicaps. “This Camp is a very special place and is something we all believe in. Each year we try to raise the bar and beat the previous year’s totals and that goal gets harder and harder to match every year. The number came in a little lighter than in the past, but with the state of the economy a decrease was to be expected. Despite the total number being down, we are still extremely pleased to be presenting a check to Bay Cliff for $110,000. That is a substantial contribution that will make a difference in many kid’s lives, and that is what the foundation is all about,” said Ross.
Funds from the Michael Ross Memorial Foundation have enabled Bay Cliff to construct a new Teen Center, appropriately named “Mike’s Place”. The Teen Center is the focal point of the camp, serving as a hub for special programs and camp activities. Along with Mike’s Place, the MRMF funds have also provided Bay Cliff with a badly needed Children’s Clothing Center, a modern and more accommodating laundry facility.
Look for some future announcements concerning some upcoming changes for the MRMF fund raising events. “I’m a firm believer that everything has a life cycle, and I believe we are nearing the end of our current format. We announced to our guests at the golf tournament that this year’s tournament may be our last. We do not have plans to host a tournament in 2008. This is not the end of the MRMF, but I think it is time to take a step back and evaluate some different options we have for fund raising events. We truly appreciate the support that has been shown over the years for the foundation,” said Tony Ross.
undefinedThe MRMF Golf Tournament Winner’s Circle sponsors include American Compressed Steel, Arctic Cat, Bichsel’s Jewelry, Diamond Pet Foods, Ditzfeld Transfer, GLS Landscaping, JD Byrider, Race4Life.com, Roth Motorsports, Sage Fruit, Subway, Super Clean, The Tony Stewart Foundation, Yeager’s Cycles and W-K Chevrolet. For more information on the Michael Ross Memorial Foundation visit www.michaelrossmemorialfoundation.com.
