Garrettsville – Sugar Bush Golf Club, owned by the Koval family, was recently awarded The Small Business Leadership Award at The National Philanthropy Day Awards Celebration hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) North Central Ohio Chapter. The awards luncheon, which was held November 9, 2012 at the Hilton Akron/Fairlawn, celebrated the work of the Kovals and six other honorees for their philanthropic contributions.
AFP recognized Sugar Bush and owners Lillian, Mary and Michael Koval for their 26-year dedication to hosting the Annual Hattie Larlham Sugar Bush Golf Classic, which has generated over $640,000 in net proceeds for the Hattie Larlham organization. Lillian Koval was at the luncheon to accept the award for Sugar Bush and her family.
The Hattie Larlham Organization, who nominated Sugar Bush for this year’s award, is a nonprofit organization that provides care to over 1,500 children and adults with developmental disabilities. That includes residential care to 130 children and young adults at the Hattie Larlham Center for Children with Disabilities in Mantua, Ohio, and to adults at community-based homes located throughout Ohio. Hattie Larlham’s services also benefit the families, loved ones and communities of these children and adults.
National Philanthropy Day, which is November 15, is the day set aside to recognize and acknowledge the entire spectrum of services provided by the nonprofit community and the profound impact that philanthropy has made to enrich lives, and positively affect our communities and our world. National Philanthropy Day also gives AFP an opportunity to highlight local individuals, corporations and foundations that have gone ‘above and beyond’ to support the needs of many. The award recipients are those that have committed their time, leadership, talent and resources to strengthen communities, lead by example and encourage others to do the same. The Philanthropy Awards given by AFP are in appreciation for the many accomplishments that have been made in the name of giving.
The Koval family, as owners of Sugar Bush Golf Club, have donated their time, facility and staff for the annual fund-raising event out of a genuine desire to support Hattie Larlham’s mission to enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities and their families through their commitment to comfort, joy and achievement.
In addition to the generous support the Koval family has extended to Hattie Larlham, they have also hosted events at the golf club for the Animal Protective League and have donated items for local charity auctions and fundraisers.
It is the hope of AFP that by recognizing and celebrating the philanthropic impact that their honorees have made, it will inspire others to do the same.
