FORT WAYNE, Ind. — WaterFurnace Renewable Energy donated $31,000 to the United Service Organization (USO) of Indiana, the largest single donation received by the nonprofit military support organization. Tom Huntington, WaterFurnace president and CEO, presented the check during a conference at the company’s Fort Wayne, Ind., manufacturing facility.

Proceeds from the WaterFurnace 23rd Annual Supplier Golf Outing, raised $15,500 for the USO organization in Indiana. WaterFurnace matched the amount with a $15,500 contribution, bringing the total donation to $31,000.

“Last year we proudly presented a check in the amount of $20,000 to the USO, which was four times larger than the contribution we made in 2009,” said Huntington. “So, you can imagine how thrilled we are to present an even larger check this year, and with it, the opportunity to express our appreciation for the men and women who make personal sacrifices on a daily basis to defend our country.”

Participants in the golf outing were encouraged to make a donation during an online registration process. In addition, WaterFurnace raised money during the golf outing with on-course fundraising activities that included selling mulligans, USO shirts, and mugs.

The outing also included a silent auction featuring autographed memorabilia from a variety of celebrities, including golfers Arnold Palmer, Phil Mickelson, and Tiger Woods; NCAA coaches Brian Kelly and Mike Brey of Notre Dame and Indiana University’s Tom Crean, and former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel; and dozens of Indy and NASCAR drivers. In addition, AM General, manufacturer of the HUMMER and HMMWV, donated “A Day at the Track,” providing two people with the opportunity to train in and drive AM General vehicles on the company’s test track.

Publication date: 12/26/2011