Canterbury Golfer Inspired to Help Others
By Natalie A. Trout
Marketing & Communications Specialist
Canterbury Middle School student Collin Bauer was only five years old when he met another child named Tommy Morrisey. Tommy had only one arm, but it didn't stop him from doing what he loved most: golf.
"I thought it was so cool that he golfed with only one arm," Bauer said. "That really inspired me to raise money for kids who needed prosthetic legs and arms."
That year, Bauer raised $5,000. Eventually, he set his sights higher, and decided to host an 18-hole scramble fundraiser in September 2020 called "Collin For Kids." The winners received trophies, everyone got a T-shirt, and even the Fort Wayne Mad Ant came. Most importantly, the event raised $25,000 for Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis.
"Collin's fundraising story is one that makes our team smile and shows extraordinary passion, kindness, and generosity," said Megan Bohling, Community Fundraising Events Coordinator at Riley Children's Foundation. "I truly believe that the success and determination behind Collin’s golf tournament is one that has the ability to inspire other kids to do good in their local communities as well. The fact that he wanted to incorporate fundraising with something that he is passionate about really highlights the level of selflessness that he has."
The $25,000 was such a tremendous gift that Riley was able to create a new fund designed for supporting prosthetics programming needs at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health.
Bohling said it's always exciting to see children step up to raise money for Riley by hosting fundraisers.
"It overjoys me when we learn children have a desire to fundraise because philanthropy is such an important component of our world," she said. "I am always amazed and humbled when hearing many of the wonderful fundraising ideas that children have and how they can make an impact."
Bauer encourages other children to find something to raise money for that they are passionate about. His best advice? "Keep it fun," he said.
