When Thomas McInerney Sr. and his wife, Jacqueline, sought a way to honor the memory of their son, James, they decided on a golf outing.
James, an avid golfer, was 52 when he died unexpectedly on Jan. 20, 2007, of a heart attack brought on by diabetes.
Known to his family and friends as Jimmy, he worked with his father and brothers, Daniel and Thomas Jr., in Taylor Chrysler-Plymouth Inc., which in 1999 moved to Woodhaven and today is McInerney Chrysler Jeep.
Thomas McInerney Sr., owner and president of the Woodhaven dealership, said he knew he could raise money with a golf outing, and he and his wife, along with James' wife, Deborah, and young daughter, Hayley, decided to donate proceeds from the memorial event to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Thomas had high hopes for the fund-raiser, but even he was amazed when the final tally of the August golf outing was calculated.
The Jimmy McInerney Memorial Golf Classic raised $100,000 for the foundation, and $15,000 more to help stage next year's outing.
The second annual golf classic to honor James' memory already has been scheduled for Aug. 18 next summer.
"I wish there were some way to adequately express our appreciation, because a simple thank you seems insufficient," Thomas said in a letter thanking participants in the inaugural fund-raiser.
The event, held at the Cherry Creek Country Club in Shelby Township, drew 152 golfers and 300 people for dinner.
Silent and live auctions helped to increase the event's proceeds, and guest speakers helped to raise awareness about diabetes, as well.
"It was one of the most successful days of our lives," Thomas said last week. "It was a great evening."
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is the leading funder and advocate of juvenile diabetes worldwide, but its research also benefits people with adult-onset diabetes, said James Slaughter, executive director of the foundation's southeast Michigan chapter.
"Diabetes is a growing threat to our community, and the McInerneys' help in raising funds gets us one step closer to a cure," Slaughter said, adding that he "deeply appreciated" the family's efforts to further the mission of the foundation.
Diabetes Research and Awareness Receives Big Boost Thanks to Generous Gift from McInerney's - Auto News from September 24, 2008
WOODHAVEN, Mich., Sept. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Diabetes research and awareness received a big boost thanks to a generous gift of more than $100,000 to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF) raised by Thomas McInerney, owner and president of McInerney's Woodhaven Chrysler Jeep.
McInerney's son, James A. McInerney, suffered from the disease and had a fatal heart attack in January 2007. McInerney created the first annual JimmyMcInerney Memorial Golf Classic, held August 19th at the Cherry Creek Golf Club in Shelby Township, to raise money to combat diabetes. As a result of the inaugural event, McInerney presented a $100,000 check to the JDRF September 21.
"My wife, Jacqueline and I, along with Jimmy's widow, Debbie and their daughter, Hayley, thought about how we could best pay tribute to our son and honor his memory," McInerney said. "We're delighted that we not only raised a lot of money, but raised awareness as well about diabetes.
"McInerney's Woodhaven Chrysler Jeep has had a long history of supporting our hometown community, but this was a project that was close to home. We really understood the importance of reaching out to spread our message to as many people as possible."
McInerney joined forces with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and together with the sponsors and volunteers, came up with the event -- a day of golf, entertainment, auctions and guest speakers.
"Diabetes is a growing threat to our community and the McInerney's help in raising funds gets us one step closer to a cure," said Jim Slaughter, executive director of JDRF's Southeast Michigan chapter. "Although focused on finding a cure for Type 1 diabetes, our research benefits both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics -- which combined effect an estimated 25 million Americans," Slaughter adds.
The JDRF is the leading funder and advocate of Type 1 (juvenile) diabetes research worldwide. Type 1 Diabetes is a disease which strikes children and young adults suddenly and requires injections or infusion of insulin daily to stay alive. The disease can lead to kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke and amputation. As many as 3 million people in the U.S. have Type 1 diabetes.
"We are already gearing up for next year's event," McInerney said. "Together, we think we can make some real progress in knocking out juvenile diabetes."
