The 2005 Open Raises the Ante in Charitable Giving

On March 18, 2005, Asher & Company, Ltd., held its Ninth Annual Asher Golf Open. What humbly started nine years ago as a way to provide a break for staff during the rigors of tax season has grown to become an Asher tradition of fun and community support. 

And the Proceeds Go to…

Each golfing participant paid a $5.00 greens fee, which each year is donated to an organization chosen by the defending champion. Last year’s winner, Jack Kolmansberger, designated the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Bucks County as the benefactor.  Asher employee Randee Mellon is the organization’s Bucks County Light the Night Walk event chair for the second straight year, so there is a personal connection. “As one of the thousands of local blood cancer survivors, Randee is a true inspiration to everyone, and her passion for the cause made the choice easy.” 

Randee adds, “My personal commitment to the Society is lifelong, and I’m thrilled that everyone at the firm is so supportive of the Light the Night Walk.  It’s an honor to have the Walk designated as the benefactor of the Asher Open.” 

This Year’s Contribution was Larger than Ever

For the first time, Asher clients, vendors, alumni and friends were invited to golf and help support the event. The funds, which totaled more than $2900.00, increased the event’s charitable take ten-fold over last year.  The donors were invited to golf during the Asher Open and several joined in the camaraderie of the day.

Benefactors gave at special levels and Asher expressed gratitude to the following for their generosity: 

• Eagle donors: Dilsheimer Communities, Inc. and CMS Companies
• Birdie donors: Zutz Insurance Group, R.J. Gallagher & Associates, Inc., Transamerican Office Furniture, and an anonymous donor
• Par donors: E Philanthropy Foundation and All Wrapped Up Custom Gift Packaging, Inc.
• Friend donors: The Brian Forgione Memorial Fund along with Asher Alumni Susan Lang, Jeffrey Chrin and Lisa Paparone

Asher Staff Put Creative Juice into Designing

Asher staff rose to the challenge of creating whimsically-themed golf holes as part of the design-a-hole-contest. The winning hole designers, Richard Janowski, Anthony Arcaro and Jason Wardlow created a “Boys of Summer” baseball field complete with Asher players and cheerleaders, and great details such as a dugout, bleachers, diamond, outfield, and wall with sponsors and a scoreboard.  Other creative designs featured: an “Under the Sea” theme with a variety of sea creatures, fishing net, seaweed, life preservers (on the ceiling), and a sunken treasure chest filled with Swedish fish treats; a monopoly game with Asher company “playing rules,” Monopoly money and game-board obstacles; an Aloha- Hawaii-themed hole with hula dolls, fish, colorful streamers and a challenging ramp-hole; a homage to Barbie dolls featuring Barbie memorabilia; a Martha Stewart jail-term and welcome-home-to- the-mansion theme; and a Guess Who? hole with staff childhood pictures and room to write in their identities.

Closing Ceremony and Party

During the catered staff party concluding the day, Katie Rogers and Jen Cohen from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society were presented with a large charitable check. The day’s top golfer, Michael Palogruto, and the design-hole winners, Richard Janowski, Anthony Arcaro and Jason Wardlow were honored and presented with their prizes.  All participating golfers received a small prize that they could choose from the “Pro Shop.”

This year’s Bucks County Light The Night Walk is set for Saturday, September 24, 2005 at Shady Brook Farm, Yardley.  For more information, call (610) 521-8274 or visit www.lightthenight.org.

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		The first golfers of Asher Open 2005 tee off (from right to left):  Randee Mellon, Cathy Nemeth and Kenneth Singleton.
		Victor DeMaise putts in the tropical "Aloha" hole.  Say, wouldn't a mai tai and shades improve a golfer's game?!
		Doug Hall cheers on Vicki Dworski as she sizes up for a hole-in-one.  Financial pros can be so exacting!
		Anastasia Pashalis and Shaminy Inamdar golf through a Monopoly-game maze with Victor.  Check out Shaminy's killer golf shoes!
		What's this?!  Matt Hurley is golfing with a broken foot.  Give that man a medal of honor!
		Edna Miranda takes a shot at the design-winning  "Boys of Summer" hole.  Edna!...oh no..you're not a bat!...this is golf, seriously.
		Susanne Spinell Shuster, Sarah Aoun, and Patrick Dugan strategize how to putt through Martha Stewart magazines, cooking utensils, and horses at the Stewart mansion. They forgot to spice it up with cilantro.  Let's call Martha!
		Feeling like they're stuck in a time warp, Richard Janowski, Jason Wardlow, and Mel Liu get ready to golf thorough dinosaurs.
		Steve Carr, his brother Paul, and Steve Taylor enjoy being submerged in the "Under the Sea" hole.  Quick, where's that bucket of water to douse Steve for effect?
		Who could that young urchin be?  She was one of the featured staff at the  "Guess Who?" hole.
		Jim Kochanski, Adam Dabbeekeh, and Joseph Canataro prove to be formidable golfers.  (We think they've been practicing on the sly.)