Little City Invitational Golf Tournament Raises $375,000 to Help Support Children and Adults with Disabilities

Bunzl Distribution's Patrick Larmon Honored for Humanitarian Efforts

PALATINE, Ill., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Continuing its strong fundraising efforts, the Little City Foundation Invitational Golf Tournament raised $375,000 at its annual event Aug. 16, making this year's invitational one of the most successful in the tournament's 47-year history.

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The proceeds from the golf fundraiser will be used to support the Palatine-based Little City Foundation, which provides services and programs, including residential care, for children and adults with developmental disabilities. The agency is currently celebrating 50 years of dedicated service to Illinois families.

More than 200 golfers took part in the event, which has become the organization's most successful fundraiser in the last several years. For the third straight year, the invitational took place at the prestigious, 36-hole Twin Orchard Country Club in Long Grove.

"The economy continues to be a challenge for events such as this, but thanks to the ongoing support we receive from philanthropic individuals, businesses and corporations, the Little City Invitational was a great success this year," said Ed Hockfield, a business consultant and resident of Long Grove, who co-chaired the event with Jennifer Quinn, a partner in the Chicago law firm of Ungaretti & Harris and Park Ridge resident. "Our committee worked hard to make the invitational a success, and they once again did a great job this year."

Hockfield also attributed the success of the tournament to the selection of Patrick Larmon as this year's recipient of the Morrie Kellman Humanitarian Award. Larmon is the President and CEO of Bunzl Distribution USA, Inc., a St. Louis-based distributor of products that includes outsourced food packaging, disposable supplies, and cleaning and safety products.

Larmon has played in several Little City Invitational tournaments in the past to support the organization. He is also very active in community service, both in the Chicago and St. Louis areas, including serving on the national board of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

"Pat is highly respected in his industry and for the humanitarian efforts he has either led or participated in over many years," Hockfield said. "Many of those people took part in our event this year not only to support Little City, but Pat as well, and we are grateful for their efforts."

The Morrie Kellman award is named for the founder of the Little City Invitational Golf Tournament in 1963. The event has developed into one of the oldest ongoing golf tournaments in the country hosted by a nonprofit.

"I am grateful for this honor, and I look forward to supporting Little City in the future as it continues to provide outstanding services to people with disabilities," Larmon told the large crowd that gathered for dinner after the tournament play. "This has been a great day, especially since I could share it with my family."

An array of live and silent auctions were featured during the evening's festivities, including golf at the ultra exclusive Rich Harvest Farms in west suburban Sugar Grove, site of the 2009 Solheim Cup; skybox seats for a Chicago Bears game; courtside seats to a Chicago Bulls game; and a week's stay at a luxurious 10,000 sq. ft. home in Punta Mita, Mexico.

One of the highlights of the evening was a special fundraising pledge to help raise money for a revamped fitness center for Little City. Thanks to a matching gift pledge of $25,000 and the pledges made at the dinner, the full $65,000 was raised to purchase new equipment and remodel the current fitness center at the Palatine campus.

As always, another highlight during the dinner was provided by Jerry Rose, 56, a self-taught musician and longtime resident of Little City Foundation who was born blind and developmentally disabled. Rose performed music by the Beatles and Elvis Presley.

To support individuals with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities, visit www.littlecity.org/support.

About Little City Foundation

For more than 50 years, Little City Foundation has developed innovative and personalized programs to fully assist and empower children and adults with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. With a commitment to attaining a greater quality of life for Illinois' most vulnerable citizens, Little City actively promotes choice, person-centered planning and a holistic approach to health and wellness. Little City's ChildBridge services include in-home personal and family supports, clinical and behavior intervention, 24/7 residential services and special needs foster care and adoption. Little City's LifePath Adult Services offers a variety of residential options, employment opportunities, home-based services, case management, day supports, Special Olympics, an award-winning Center for the Arts and more. The organization has a 56-acre campus in Palatine and offices in Chicago.  Visit www.littlecity.org. 

About Bunzl Distribution USA, Inc.

Bunzl Distribution USA, Inc. supplies a range of products, including outsourced food packaging, disposable supplies, and cleaning and safety products to food processors, supermarkets, retailers, convenience stores and other users. Based in St. Louis, Mo., Bunzl Distribution, with sales of over $3.8 billion, is the largest division of Bunzl plc, an international distribution and outsourcing group headquartered in London. Bunzl Distribution owns and operates more than 90 warehouses that serve all 50 states and Puerto Rico, as well as Canada, the Caribbean and parts of Mexico. With 3,500 employees and more than 250,000 different supply items, Bunzl is regarded as a leading supplier in North America. Worldwide sales are in excess of $6 billion. Throughout its history, the company has maintained a strong commitment to productivity, delivering both quality service and competitive pricing. As it looks to the future, Bunzl Distribution is focused on increasing productivity, enhancing customer service and exploring new business opportunities. Visit www.bunzldistribution.com/.

SOURCE Little City Foundation