October 23, 2024
14th Annual Heroes Golf Tournament Raises $180,000 for the Sua Sponte Foundation and the Burn Foundation of America
Tucker, GA (Oct. 23, 2024) – The 14th Annual Heroes Invitational Golf Tournament, hosted by Oglethorpe Power, Georgia Transmission, Georgia System Operations and Georgia EMC, brought together sponsors, golfers and volunteers to raise more than $180,000 for two Georgia-based non-profit organizations, the Sua Sponte Foundation and the Burn Foundation of America. With more than 150 players and 40 sponsors, this year’s event continued its tradition of supporting military veterans while also extending its impact to support burn victims and their families across Georgia.
Half of the event proceeds benefitted the Sua Sponte Foundation, a volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to providing rapid assistance in times of crisis to the Rangers and families of the 1st Ranger Battalion, part of the U.S. Army’s elite 75th Ranger Regiment based in Savannah.
“We are deeply grateful for the generous donation from the Heroes Golf Tournament that will allow us to respond quickly when our Rangers and their families need us the most,” said Sua Sponte Foundation President Jim Brunton.
“Our cooperative network across Georgia is proud to employ military veterans who are essential to keeping the lights on for millions of Georgians, which is why supporting the Sua Sponte Foundation means so much to us,” said Georgia System Operations President & CEO Greg Ford.
Since 9/11, the Sua Sponte Foundation has assisted Rangers and their families in times of crisis. The organization hosts and sponsors events to increase the Rangers’ morale and cohesiveness, helps to renovate wounded Rangers’ homes, sends care packages to deployed troops, provides financial aid for medical expenses, offers job search assistance, helps Gold Star families who have lost a loved one in military service and maintains memorial grounds dedicated to fallen warriors of the 1st Ranger Battalion.
“We consider it an honor that so many military veterans choose our organizations for their civilian careers, and we appreciate the expertise and unique perspective they bring to our teams,” said Georgia Transmission President & CEO Barbara Hampton.
Tournament proceeds also benefited the Burn Foundation of America, which supports burn patients and their families at several burn centers in the United States, including the Joseph M. Still (JMS) Burn Center at Doctors Hospital in Augusta. If needed, electric membership cooperative (EMC) line crews would receive treatment at the JMS Burn Center, which is the largest in the country with more than 110 beds.
“The JMS Burn Center is a world-renowned, state-of-the-art facility, and it’s a crucial resource for burn treatment, especially for EMC line crews whose demanding responsibilities put them at potential risk of electrical contact during their work,” said Oglethorpe Power President & CEO Mike Smith.
The Burn Foundation of America focuses on providing critical resources and support to individuals affected by burn injuries, including transportation, medication, lodging for family members, mobility devices and other burn-related items.
Burn Foundation of America President Linda McKnight said, “Donations like the one from the Heroes Golf Tournament ensure we can continue providing critical care and support to burn survivors and their families.”
“We’re committed to rigorous safety and training measures that strive to keep our EMC line workers safe from needing burn treatment, but it’s reassuring to know they have the support of the Burn Foundation so close to home if the need arises,” said Georgia EMC President & CEO Dennis Chastain. “For 14 years, the Heroes Tournament has made a positive impact on Georgia-based nonprofits, and none of this would be possible without our incredible sponsors, golfers and volunteers. This year, we’re proud to extend that impact by supporting two remarkable organizations that are doing life-changing work for Georgians.”
The tournament proceeds were presented to both organizations during the private tournament held on October 7.
Of the 41 EMCs who call Georgia home, 38 are members of Oglethorpe Power, Georgia Transmission and Georgia System Operations. Together these corporations generate power, transmit and distribute electricity across Georgia’s electric grid, and monitor and manage the operation of the system. Georgia EMC serves as the statewide trade association representing these companies and all 41 Georgia EMCs.
About Oglethorpe Power
Oglethorpe Power is among the nation’s largest power supply cooperatives and is one of the largest energy producers in Georgia. With more than $16 billion in assets, Oglethorpe Power owns and operates a diverse portfolio of resources to provide reliable, affordable, safe and environmentally responsible energy to 38 consumer-owned, not-for-profit Electric Membership Cooperatives (EMCs) that provide retail electricity to approximately 4.5 million Georgians. Through its investment in nuclear, natural gas, hydro and coal resources, Oglethorpe Power’s generation fleet has a combined capacity of more than 9,300 megawatts. For more information, visit www.opc.com.
About Georgia Transmission
Georgia Transmission Corp., a not-for-profit cooperative owned by 38 Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs), owns more than 5,000 miles of high-voltage transmission lines and more than 780 substations. These facilities deliver power to Georgia’s EMCs, providing electricity to more than 4.5 million Georgians. For more information, visit www.gatransmission.com.
About Georgia System Operations
Georgia System Operations Corporation is a not-for-profit corporation owned by 38 Georgia electric membership corporations, Oglethorpe Power Corporation, and Georgia Transmission Corporation. GSOC delivers safe, reliable, and economic power by controlling and monitoring electric generation, transmission, and distribution assets owned by OPC, GTC, Smarr EMC, the Members, and their power supply partners. Operating within the Southeastern reliability subregion of the SERC Reliability Corporation, GSOC complies with all applicable North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability standards. GSOC also manages the critical infrastructure protection (CIP) program for GTC and itself.
About Georgia EMC
Georgia EMC is the statewide trade association representing the state’s 41 EMCs, Oglethorpe Power Corp., Georgia Transmission Corp. and Georgia System Operations Corp. Collectively, Georgia’s customer-owned EMCs provide electricity and related services to approximately 4.4 million people, nearly half of Georgia’s population, across 73 percent of the state’s land area. To learn more, visit www.georgiaemc.com and follow us on Facebook and X.
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Contact: Heather Teilhet
Phone Number: 770-270-7187
Email: heather.teilhet@opc.com