The First Tee Trustee Surpasses $200,000 Giving Milestone
Private Wealth Advisor Chris Barley Becomes Largest Benefactor of Central Florida Chapter
When The First Tee of Central Florida was founded over five years ago, the founding Board of Directors wanted to make sure that the organization had an underlying focus of impacting the lives of young people typically not introduced to the game of golf. To do this, The First Tee of Central Florida subsidizes fees for its Golf and Life Skills Experience Program and maintains a policy that no child ever be turned away for an inability to pay. Additionally, The First Tee works with local schools and after-school programs to introduce the game of golf, its core values, and healthy habits to young people without any cost to the child. To have this impact, The First Tee of Central Florida relies heavily upon the generosity of those in our community to help achieve those goals. Since our inception in 2012, The First Tee of Central Florida has received generous support from numerous benefactors, however, no one has been more giving to the chapter than Mr. Chris Barley.
Barley, Managing Director and Private Wealth Advisor for Ameriprise Financial, has been involved with the local chapter of The First Tee since before it was even founded. Barley is a Trustee of The First Tee, committing to giving $1 million to the First Tee at both the local and national levels over a 10-year time period.
In his role as a private wealth advisor, Barley was entrusted with funds from the estate of Central Florida ophthalmologist Dr. David P. Honey after his passing in 2008. Knowing that Dr. Honey was passionate about golf, Barley sought out an organization that could utilize Dr. Honey’s gift and impact as many people as possible. While on the course one afternoon, Barley was reminded of an organization he had briefly heard about in passing years before, and knew that The First Tee was the perfect fit for Dr. Honey’s gift. As the person entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the donation, Barley got in touch with the right people at The First Tee’s Home Office and became involved in seeing to it that a Central Florida chapter was founded.
“With gifts of more than $200,000 to the chapter to date, Mr. Barley has become The First Tee of Central Florida’s largest donor. His annual gift allows us to make a tremendous impact on local youth, and we are so grateful for his continued commitment to our organization,” said Thomas Lawrence, Executive Director of The First Tee of Central Florida.
In addition to being a Trustee of The First Tee, Barley is also involved as an Advisory Board Member for the Central Florida chapter. His expertise in the careful and thoughtful investment of funds and talent has helped to grow the Central Florida organization to become one of the strongest chapters in the country. Just this past August, the First Tee of Central Florida celebrated its five-year anniversary. During the past five years, the organization has shared its youth development programming with more than 90,000 local youth, positively impacting these children through programs delivered in 123 Central Florida elementary schools, 22 after-school programs, and on 10 golf courses throughout the region.
“Without the support of benefactors like Mr. Barley, this widespread impact would not be possible. We truly appreciate all that he does for our organization’s mission and vision,” added Lawrence.
You can join Chris Barley and our efforts to positively impact the lives of Central Florida youth by donating to The First Tee of Central Florida today!
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When The First Tee of Central Florida was founded over five years ago, the founding Board of Directors wanted to make sure that the organization had an underlying focus of impacting the lives of young people typically not introduced to the game of golf. To do this, The First Tee of Central Florida subsidizes fees for its Golf and Life Skills Experience Program and maintains a policy that no child ever be turned away for an inability to pay. Additionally, The First Tee works with local schools and after-school programs to introduce the game of golf, its core values, and healthy habits to young people without any cost to the child. To have this impact, The First Tee of Central Florida relies heavily upon the generosity of those in our community to help achieve those goals. Since our inception in 2012, The First Tee of Central Florida has received generous support from numerous benefactors, however, no one has been more giving to the chapter than Mr. Chris Barley.
Barley, Managing Director and Private Wealth Advisor for Ameriprise Financial, has been involved with the local chapter of The First Tee since before it was even founded. Barley is a Trustee of The First Tee, committing to giving $1 million to the First Tee at both the local and national levels over a 10-year time period.
In his role as a private wealth advisor, Barley was entrusted with funds from the estate of Central Florida ophthalmologist Dr. David P. Honey after his passing in 2008. Knowing that Dr. Honey was passionate about golf, Barley sought out an organization that could utilize Dr. Honey’s gift and impact as many people as possible. While on the course one afternoon, Barley was reminded of an organization he had briefly heard about in passing years before, and knew that The First Tee was the perfect fit for Dr. Honey’s gift. As the person entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the donation, Barley got in touch with the right people at The First Tee’s Home Office and became involved in seeing to it that a Central Florida chapter was founded.