From the moment the sun rose over the Rocky Mountains, we knew it was going to be a fantastic day.
A full field of golfers migrated to the Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course for our 3rd Annual Fairway to the Rockies Golf Tournament for a day of fun on the links and to give back to a special cause in UMPS CARE Charities and our All-Star College Scholarship Program. The tournament, hosted by retired Major League Baseball Umpire Paul Emmel, was played under sunny skies and with bright spirits. Among our golfers were special guests Dave Veres, a former Colorado Rockies pitcher, and three-time Super Bowl champion (and former University of Colorado star) Tom Ashworth.
While the golfing was a blast, everyone came to support a great cause in UMPS CARE.
Following the golf, guests heard from one of our All-Star College Scholarship Program recipients – Caroline Mackey. Caroline just completed her junior year at Colorado Christian University in Denver. Our scholarship targets a niche group – children who were adopted at 13 or older – because their adoptive parents don’t have the years to save for college.
Her emotional speech moved everyone in the room, and it captured the reason how UMPS CARE is changing lives in Colorado and around the country.
Caroline Mackey gets a hug from her grandmother, Barb, who adopted Caroline and her young sister. Caroline received our UMPS CARE Charities All-Star College Scholarship in 2023 and is on track to graduate from Colorado Christian University next spring. She crdits the scholarship to her personal growth and ability to go to her dream school.
Caroline had a challenging childhood, to say the least. She was 4 when her mother abandoned her, her younger sister and her father. Her father battled addiction and the girls suffered abuse and neglect. At one point, Caroline and her sister had missed 52 days in one year of school, not to mention being far behind in doctors’ appointments and overall healthcare.
They were on the move seemingly all the time, and that meant switching schools, homes and friends. Caroline and her sister were placed in foster care and ultimately, they were adopted by their grandparents – Barb and Sam Mackey. Although Barb and Sam were overjoyed to house the girls, they were overwhelmed by financing college. They were connected to UMPS CARE Charities; Caroline applied and ultimately was named one of our scholaship recipients.
The scholarship meant Caroline would receive $10,000 annually to support her college education but also ongoing mentorship from MLB Umpires and their families. It also meant she could go to her dream school – Colorado Christian University.
“UMPS CARE is truly a blessing,” said Caroline, who is double majoring in psychology and elementary education. “It isn’t just a scholarship. It’s a community full of life, love, and compassion. As I head into my senior year of college and prepare to graduate, I often think about the hundreds of children that could use the love and care that UMPS CARE Charities gives to those around them. I think about how I was one of those kids just a mere four years ago, and how life changing UMPS CARE Charities has been for me.”
Special thanks to everyone who participated in this event and are supporting more young people like Caroline and giving them an opportunity to achieve a college degree. Huge thanks to our Hall of Fame sponsor Joe Johnson and to our Hole In One sponsor Red Noland.
We’d also like to thank our event emcee, longtime TV broadcaster Deborah Takahara, who is now the public information officer for the Douglas County Sherriff’s Office, and our incredible network of volunteers, especially our committee members Julie Dearien, Rachel Petrie, Jeanette Doehring, Stacey Walker and Kelly Marks.
Photos courtesy of Michael Ciaglo.
The winning foursome – Mike Lowe, Matt Brunell, Michael Paul and 3X Super Bowl Tom Ashworth – with former Colorado Rockies Dave Veres.
Retired Major League Baseball Umpire Paul Emmel shares a laugh with event emcee Deborah Takahara.
