Shriners Hospitals for Children Canada Golf Tournament Raises $581,100 for State-of-the-Art Medical Imaging Equipment
Shriners Hospitals for Children Canada Patient Ambassadors Nia, Emma, Phil, Isabelle and Sabrina join members of Shriners International and the hospital mascot, Fezzy.
The 14th annual Shriners Hospitals for Children Canada Golf Tournament, held on August 7, 2025 at Summerlea Golf and Country Club, united 252 golfers, 47 volunteers, generous sponsors and community members to raise an extraordinary $581,100 to support the hospital’s purchase of advanced medical imaging equipment.
This year’s tournament began with an inspiring moment: Patient Ambassador Emma officially kicked off the event by announcing the shotgun start, setting the tone for a day filled with community spirit and purpose.
One of the most heartwarming highlights was the iconic lemonade stand, staffed by patient families, which raised over $12,000 on the course. Guests enjoyed a perfect blend of fun and philanthropy, knowing every dollar supports children with complex orthopedic needs.
“This tournament is about more than golf; it is about coming together to give children access to the best possible care. What a fantastic event to celebrate 100 years of hope, healing and innovation,” said Chad Polito, director of philanthropy, Shriners Hospitals for Children Canada. “The funds raised will allow us to purchase cutting-edge medical imaging equipment, helping us diagnose and treat our patients with even greater precision.”
A Day of Golf, Community and Impact
The event featured 63 foursomes enjoying ideal golfing weather, exciting on-course contests, and both a live and silent auction. Special guests included Chairman of the Board of Directors Brad T. Koehn and his wife Cheryl and Chairman of the Board of Trustees Leslie D. Stewart, M.D., and his wife Megan. Also attending were Board of Trustees member Tim Ludwig and his wife Barbara, Chairman of the Board of Governors Gary McKeown, and acting hospital administrator Kelly Thorstad. In addition to golf chairs Ben Lipowitz and Gino Berretta, dozens of dedicated volunteers made the event possible.
Key partners, including Air Canada Foundation, TD Bank, Bourassa Savaria Foundation, Mint Green/Srixon and Mohawk Market were recognized for their outstanding contributions.
“Shriners Hospitals for Children Canada changes lives every day,” said Ben Lipowitz, 2025 golf committee co-chair. “It is an honor to stand alongside the community to ensure they have the resources they need.”
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