Diversity Golf Outing to honor former WI Senator Herb Kohl and Johnson Controls VP Charles Harvey for supporting Wisconsin Youth Programs
Charles Harvey
The Fellowship Open, one of the country’s largest diversity charity golf outings, will extend its tradition of recognizing extraordinary leaders for their service and contributions to the Wisconsin community when it honors former Wisconsin Senator Herb Kohl and Johnson Controls executive Charles Harvey at its 13th annual outing, Friday, August 16 at the Silver Spring Country Club.
Since its inception, the Fellowship Open has raised more than $800,000 in support of more than 60 organizations that have made a positive impact on the lives of young people in Milwaukee and throughout Wisconsin.
“The Fellowship Open, as an idea and as an event, represents an act of love by local business and civic leaders to inspire our young people to pursue careers in business and to foster support for diversity and inclusion within the business community,” said John W. Daniels, chairman of the Fellowship Open.
“Herb Kohl and Charles Harvey exemplify the best ideas in leadership and service consistent with the tradition of past honorees of the Fellowship Open. These awards confirm the legacies they have built in service to so many people — especially young people – through their outstanding business and civic leadership.”
Former Senator Kohl will receive this year’s Fellowship Open Legends Award for his contributions in government service, business and in philanthropy.
In addition to serving as four-term senator for Wisconsin, he also established the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Award program, which provides annual grants to 100 graduating seniors, 100 teachers and 100 schools throughout Wisconsin. To date, Kohl’s foundation has awarded $8.2 million in support of education. “Service in support of our next generation of leaders is an idea to which every citizen can aspire,” said Kohl.
Herb Kohl
“I’m very fortunate to have been able to contribute and help make a difference in the state I love. I’m extremely grateful to the Fellowship Open Board of Directors for this award.” Past recipients of the Legends Award include Henry Aaron, Willie Davis and Junior Bridgeman.
Charles Harvey, vice president for Diversity and Public Affairs at Johnson Controls will receive the Fellowship Open Community Leader Award. Harvey, who also serves as president of the Johnson Controls Foundation, serves on the boards of several of Milwaukee’s leading philanthropic organizations, including the United Way of Southeast Wisconsin, the Milwaukee Public Policy Forum, and Milwaukee World Festival.
“I want to thank the Fellowship Open Board for this great honor,” said Harvey. “The Open has played a tremendous role in shaping the youth of our community. I am proud to have an opportunity to play a small role in their success.”
The following non-profit organizations will benefit from proceeds generated from the 2013 Fellowship Open:
• Our Next Generation – An organization that provides mentoring and tutoring services to Milwaukee ’s inner-city youth to improve high school graduation rates, improve employment opportunities and lower poverty rates.
• Heart Love Place – A faith-based organization that provides educational and social programs to strengthen Milwaukee’s central city families. The focus is to create employment opportunities and encourage more public/ private collaboration to provide much needed services to the Harambee North neighborhood.
• Milwaukee Art Museum – 30 Americans Exhibit
• A mixed-media exhibit of works created by African American artists since 1970 that address the subject of African American artistry and the conceptual changes it has undergone during the past four decades.
• United Performing Arts Fund – A Southeastern Wisconsin-based arts organization that uses creative resources and local talent to improve the quality of life for its residents.
• Milwaukee Public Schools/Rob Jeter Ipad – UW-Milwaukee men’s basketball coach Rob Jeter, who has headed the program since 2005 and was named Horizon League Coach of the Year in 2011, has guided the team to post-season appearances in two of the last three seasons.
• United Sports Club, Inc. – Milwaukee-based recreation and sports fitness club.
• 34 Ways to Assist Foundation/ Devin Harris Basketball Camp – The Foundation, started by Milwaukee native and NBA guard Devin Harris, partners with other youth advocacy organizations such as Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Big Brothers and Big Sisters to provide educational and health-related services to Milwaukee’s at-risk youth population through his free basketball camp.
Founded more than a dozen years ago by a group of business and civic leaders to promote and inspire youngsters to aspire to careers in business and to foster community support for diversity and inclusion, the Fellowship Open is one of the nation’s largest empowerment golf tournaments attracting participants from more than 25 states.
The list of honorary chairs is dominated by some of Milwaukee ‘s most prominent professionals in business, government and civic affairs. Each year its ranks have grown with honorary chairs that bring outstanding attributes and commitments to the community. Among this year’s addition to honorary chairs are: Allan Spooner, president of Columbia St. Mary’s; Michael Taylor, senior vice president of PNC Bank and Earnell Lucas of Major League Baseball.
For more information on the 13th Annual Fellowship Open visit www.fellowshipopen.com or contact Darlene Austin at 414.277.5000. Follow the Fellowship Open on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fellowshipopen