Colonial Country Club
The Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club
There’s little doubt Fort Worth prides itself as a philanthropic city. Charity events and organizations routinely take precedence, and a giving hand is a pillar of the city’s values. Today, Cowtown got a big dose of affirmation from the PGA Tour.
The WARM Place, a Fort Worth-based non-profit that provides year-round grief support services to children and their families, was awarded the 2021 PGA Tour Charity of the Year. The charity serves as the main beneficiary of the Charles Schwab Challenge — known colloquially as Colonial — and has companioned over 40,000 children and their families since its inception in 1989.
“To be recognized by the PGA TOUR nationally is so touching,” Shelley Bettis, Executive Director of The WARM Place, says. “I know the TOUR has a huge heart for giving back to people in need, and The WARM Place is such a wonderful organization. I couldn’t be more thankful and overwhelmed with gratitude.”
According to a story published in the Star-Telegram in 1989, the WARM Place can trace its roots back to 1984, when a local 14-year-old named Michael Bohme died from cancer. His sister, Megan, then 9, had problems resolving her brother’s death. With little attention paid to mental health at the time, there were few options in Texas for a grieving sibling.
Eventually, Megan’s mother, Peggy, looked beyond state lines and found the Dougy Center in Portland, which, at the time, was the pre-eminent program for grieving children. During this same time, Peggy began partnering with professionals including Ted Watkins, Patrick O’Malley, and Richard Garnett to form what would eventally become the WARM Place.
“All of the charitable organizations that we support are special, but The WARM Place is an incredibly special place and they do so many wonderful things for the benefit of families with children,” Jim Whitten, Tournament Chairman, Charles Schwab Challenge, says.
According to a press release, the honor comes with a $30,000 grant from the PGA Tour, which will be awarded to the WARM Place. “The grant will provide a month of services, at no cost, to 240 children and their families grieving,” the press release says.
