Friends of Karen Honors The Somers Lions Club and John Bauman III

The Friends of Karen’s 16th Annual Children’s Corporate Challenge will be held this year at GlenArbor Golf Club in Bedford Hills, New York on Tuesday, July 21st, 2009. This year’s honorees are The Somers Lions Club of Somers, New York and John Bauman III, a manager of the Bauman Family Foundation and residential real estate developer. This year’s sponsors include - OTR Global, The Durst Organization, CJS Securities, Yorke Construction Corporation and Putnam County Savings Bank.

The Somers Lions Club has been helping Friends of Karen since 1991 through a myriad of volunteer efforts and financial support. Through their fundraising efforts, they have contributed more than $75,000, as well as donating chocolate Easter bunnies to brighten the season for our crucially-ill children and holiday gifts for our Adopt-A-Family Program. In addition, each year Somers Lions play in the Children’s Corporate Challenge and volunteer at the event by keeping watch over the “hole-in-one” hole. “This is an outstanding honor, that an organization such as Friends of Karen…is taking the time to recognize the Somers Lions Club. The Lion’s club motto is “We Serve”….It is for us, a “Work of Heart” and that is what Lionism and service to the community is all about. It’s what Friends of Karen is about.” said Vincent Liscio, the President of the Somers Lions Club. “We are all blessed to have such a fine organization to serve such as Friends of Karen. Being named as one of the Honorees is a very moving moment for us,” he added.

Golf plays a central part in John’s Bauman’s life. John has qualified for the US Open Sectionals, and was recently runner up for the Maine Mid Amateur Championship. It was at the 2002 Friends of Karen Children’s Golf Classic that John first heard of Friends of Karen. He was moved to tears after hearing a family speak about the tremendous impact Friends of Karen made on their lives. A generous supporter to Friends of Karen through the Bauman Family Foundation, John remarked “Friends of Karen is one of our family’s most important and favorite charities to give to each year…We have modeled our mission statement for the Bauman Family Foundation to focus on giving to charities like Friends of Karen, helping those who are in desperate need. Therefore, to be honored by Friends of Karen means the world to me and my family.” For more information on the 16th Annual Children’s Corporate Challenge, please contact Gwen Salmo at 914-617-4051

Friends of Karen, headquartered in Purdys, New York, provides financial assistance, emotional and advocacy support for children with life threatening illnesses and their families. Friends of Karen was named after North Salem resident, Karen MacInnes. Sheila Petersen, a family friend, had appealed to the community to contribute the funds needed for Karen’s care at home. After Karen died, her family expressed their wish that Sheila continue this mission. Thus the organization that bears Karen’s name has become a permanent part of the Northern Westchester landscape and in over 30 years has expanded to helping thousands of families in the tri-state area.

For further information on Friends of Karen, please visit our website at www.friendsofkaren.org.