Marriott Vacations Worldwide Celebrates 20 Years of Caring for the Children of Central Florida

Marriott Vacations Worldwide recently hosted its 20th Annual Caring Classic charity golf tournament, with proceeds benefitting Great Orlando Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. This event started back in 1997 and has since raised more than $2.5 million to help the children at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.

The 20th year tournament was hosted at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando with 39 teams participating—85 percent of the teams were returning from previous years—with the event selling out in just a few weeks. The tournament offers fun and unique experiences for golfers and all participants including food trucks, a chipping challenge, and even shooting a golf ball out of a canon. More than 60 Marriott Vacation Worldwide associate volunteers and golf staff were on-site, providing a top-notch experience for all involved.

The money raised from the event stays local and directly benefits the pediatric and neonatal programs at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies. These funds are used for life-saving medical equipment, advance critical research projects, to help pay for uncompensated care, and more.

“Marriott Vacations Worldwide has a tremendous desire to make a difference in the lives of others and have a positive impact in the community in which they live and serve,” said Rebekah Nantais, director of development, Greater Orlando Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. “Over the past 20 years they have continually strived to do more to improve the lives of sick and injured kids cared for at Arnold Palmer Medical Center. And their business partners have joined in their efforts, which have truly made an impact in the care we are able to provide to the kids and families who come through our doors.”

Nantais went on to talk about a pediatric program that Marriott Vacations Worldwide has helped to fund called Child Life. This program provides therapy through medical play, visual arts, dance, music, and more to help the patients thrive.

To learn more about Marriott Vacations Worldwide, visit their website.