2018– The Orthopedic Center of Illinois Foundation (OCIF) today announced that Girl Scouts of Central Illinois’ Camp Widjiwagan was selected to receive $20,000 as the beneficiary for the 15th Annual OCIF Open: Chip in fore Charity. The community impact grant will be funded through proceeds from the OCIF annual golf outing scheduled for September 17th at Illini Country Club.
“We are very excited to honor Girl Scouts of Central Illinois and the opportunities they provide to girls in our community at Camp Widjiwagan,” said OCIF Board President Ron Romanelli, M.D. “Many very deserving organizations applied for the grant, but ultimately the mission of Girls Scouts of Central Illinois and Camp Widjiwagan paralleled that of the Foundation: to provide educational opportunities about health initiatives that impact our community.”
Camp Widjiwagan has been a staple in Springfield, Illinois for more than eighty years and has been a place where tens of thousands of Girl Scouts have created lifelong memories and friends. The funds from the Orthopedic Center of Illinois Foundation will be used to support camp activities and operations.
“Every year in the greater Springfield community, hundreds of girls benefit from attending Camp Widjiwagan: learning new skills, making new friends and memories, all without even realizing they are also preventing the learning loss that can occur over the summer away from school,” said Girl Scouts of Central Illinois CEO, Pam Kovacevich. “Girl Scouts is thrilled to have been selected as the recipient of this year’s Chip ‘n Fore Charity and is eager to welcome future girls and their families to Widji, so they too can share in the many opportunities that await them. From the challenge course and LRS Leadership Center to the beautiful reclaimed lakefront, swimming, canoeing, and so much more! Thank you to the Orthopedic Center of Illinois Foundation for helping make this possible for Springfield area families.”
This year marks the 15th Chip in fore Charity and to date, OCIF has granted over $275,000 to Springfield area organizations. Past grant recipients include: Compass for Kids (2017), Special Olympics (2016), ThinkFirst (2015), Illinois Senior Olympics (2014), genHkids (2013), Springfield Sharefest (2012), Camp Care-A-Lot (2011), Springfield YMCA (2010), Sangamon County Child Advocacy Center (2009), Big Brothers Big Sisters (2008), Southwind Park (2007), Contact Ministries (2006), Boys and Girls Club of Springfield (2005), and Central Illinois Foodbank (2004). For more information on the Foundation or to be a sponsor at this year’s event, please visit the OCIF website: www.ocif.net or call (217) 547-9100.
