The 22nd Annual Dan McLaughlin Charity Golf Tournament and Auction, held earlier this month at Norwood Hills Country Club, was a fantastic day for the Special Education Foundation. With slightly cool but sunny weather, golfers enjoyed the perfect conditions for a day on the greens, getting Into the Spirit of giving back.

(Video Provided by Jason Betancourt and Darrell Latson)

When golfers arrived at registration, they were greeted by our amazing team of volunteers, alongside SEF Board Members and Special School District Superintendent Dr. Michael Maclin, before heading to our annual brunch.

While the brunch was moved indoors due to the chilly morning air, the sun began to show itself and provide a little warmth in time for golfers to get a few practice swings in at the driving range and take a shot at Shorty’s Putting Contest.

To kick off the tournament, John Ulett, Busch Stadium Announcer for the St. Louis Cardinals, led a lively sendoff alongside SEF Executive Director Tim Eby, creating a sense of gratitude and excitement before our golfers took to the course. Adding to the atmosphere, Clare Kujath returned as our bagpiper and accompanied the teams as they set off for their shotgun start.

Fredbird joined us once again. The SSD students in attendance and the golfers enjoyed his presence, and he also provided quite a few laughs along the way.

Volunteers stationed across the course ensured everyone had a fantastic time, keeping spirits high and helping each team enjoy a seamless experience. Many of our volunteers are current or retired SSD staff, and we are truly grateful for their continued presence.

Local vendors, such as Gastro Pit, Hot Shots, and Billy G’s, also joined the tournament, often accompanied by a few of our volunteers, keeping the golfers well-fed during their rounds!

As golfers returned to the clubhouse, the energy continued into our live auction, featuring several incredible items that our supporters could bid on at home through the live stream session, a new element this year.

SSD Board of Education members joined our Post-Golf Reception, SEF Board Members, Premier Sponsor Custom Coatings, and many more new and returning sponsors to the tournament. Although our returning Platinum Sponsor Pool Tron could not make it in person this year, their generosity was evident throughout the event!

Emceed by Dan McLaughlin, our Live Auction included items such as an autographed Travis Kelce jersey, an autographed Taylor Swift guitar generously donated by Brad Hagemeyer, owner of our Premier Sponsor, Custom Coatings, and four Green Seats tickets to an upcoming 2025 Cardinals game donated by SEF Board Member Gene Toombs and Family.

Additionally, our silent auction items were onsite this year, allowing golfers and Happy Hour guests to explore and get a close-up look at our exciting offerings in person. These included baskets curated by Tournament Coordinator Patty Benner and the SEF Golf Tournament Committee, experience packages donated by SEF Board Members and friends of SEF, and exclusive local sports memorabilia by Dan himself.

One of the most moving moments of the evening was the Fund-a-Need segment, which focused on SEF’s latest initiative, The Mobility Project. This project aims to fund motorized wheelchairs, allowing students to learn the life-changing skill of operating their own wheelchair. With a generous match from The Toombs Family, pledging up to $20,000, we reached that goal, successfully securing funds for two wheelchairs—a milestone worth celebrating!

Thanks to the remarkable support of our sponsors, participants, volunteers, and dedicated SEF family, we raised over $334,000 to support students with disabilities. Every dollar raised will go directly toward SEF’s mission to empower and uplift students, helping provide the tools and resources they need to reach their fullest potential.

Here at the Special Education Foundation, we are grateful for every supporter who helped make this tournament another tremendous success, and we look forward to the ongoing impact it will have in the lives of students with disabilities.

Thank you for standing with us in this mission, and here’s to another incredible year ahead!