One year ago, the IT channel came together in the spirit of giving to participate in the first Share the Magic Colorado Golf Tournament and was met with much success. Having previously raised far more than expected to benefit the two charities, Hope for the Warriors and the Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation, Share the Magic Colorado members had high expectations for the second annual event earlier this year.
According to Jay Denton, Senior Vice President, Global Partner Executive at TD SYNNEX, these expectations were exceeded; the event not only reached its fundraising goal, but it also inspired his team to find other ways to bring more charity fundraisers to the channel.
Denton, who also serves as the Board Chair for Share the Magic Colorado, recently sat down with the EDGE360 editorial team to discuss recent events and share his vision for the future of charitable giving throughout the channel.
Edge360Editors: Tell us a bit more about this year’s event!
Jay Denton: Our second annual Share the Magic Colorado golf tournament was held at the Colorado National Golf Club in Erie, CO, which is a beautiful (and challenging) course where the University of Colorado – Boulder Buffaloes play their collegiate matches.
The day was a picture-perfect Colorado autumn day with cooperating weather, and all in attendance had a great time. Since we could always just go play golf whenever we wanted, however, the real reason we were there was to raise money for a few of our favorite charities.
This year – with the golf tournament, silent auction, and our earlier Ragnar race event – we are thrilled to have raised $120,000. Once all expenses are paid we expect to be able to give our two charities – Hope for the Warriors and Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation – around $45,000 each.
Editors: What is the importance of events like the STM Golf Tournament for the IT channel?
Denton: It is incredibly important to use the collective power of our people and our partnerships to give back to organizations that are making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
TD SYNNEX executive leadership subscribes to a philosophy of “Servant Leadership,” and there is no better example or way to demonstrate that in living color than efforts and events like this.
As with the other STM chapters around the country (Greenville, S.C.; Toronto, Canada; Fremont Calif.; Tempe Ariz.; San Antonio, Texas; Chicago, Ill.; Clearwater, Fla.), we select a very limited number of beneficiaries to make a more meaningful contribution to each.
Since its inception in 2011, Share the Magic has raised more than $17 Million for communities in need, and we are only getting started.
Editors: What were some stand-out moments from this year’s tournament?
Denton: The event hosted 105 golfers, 14 vendor sponsors, and about 20 volunteers from TD SYNNEX. This group of people is certainly the stand-out for coming together to make the whole event possible.
We were also very fortunate to have representatives from Hope for the Warriors (Leslie Hunt) and Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation (Caroline Davis) speak directly to the assembled group and express their appreciation for the support that our efforts provide. When the economy is struggling, charitable organizations tend to suffer a double-whammy effect…a downward trend of donations and more people who need help. Hearing from them and feeling invigorated to try and do more really stood out to the whole team and me.
One last moment that stood out was during our on-site silent auction, which featured items from local businesses and a few “special” things. Chief among those were some autographed Denver Broncos memorabilia and a signed Kenny Chesney guitar, which added several thousand dollars to our total raised.
Editors: How did this year compare to last year’s event? What are you most looking forward to improving in next year’s event?
Denton: Last year – at our inaugural event – we raised $80,000, and after expenses, we were able to provide Children’s Colorado Hospital Foundation and Hope for The Warriors contributions of $25,000 each. We are thrilled to have “almost” doubled that in our second year, and we look forward to next year being even better!
Looking ahead, we have lots of upside for additional golfers since we did not “max out” the course and want to in the coming years. We hope to continue building on this to make it an institution for years to come.
For those reading this who may have missed out these last two years, it is never too late to get involved! We have more sponsorship and donation opportunities coming up. We plan to make the golf tournament bigger and better next year.
Editors: Are there any future events besides next year’s golf tournament that the channel can look forward to participating in?
Denton: We are already planning for these two signature events for next year: our Ragnar race, featuring teams of people running hundreds of miles over a weekend in the mountains of Colorado, and our next golf tournament.
We will also be doing some smaller activities, however, like making fleece blankets for patients at Children’s Hospital and possibly a Poker Run event next summer. There will be many more ways for us to raise some money for some great causes, and we are always looking for help. For anyone reading this, please know that no matter what you can bring, we would love to have you join us!
To learn more about how to participate in or sponsor future events with Share the Magic Colorado, please reach out to the STM-CO coordinator, Kelli Crannell, at sharethemagicco@tdsynnex.com or click here.
