FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. — For the second year in a row, the Roofing Contractors Association of South Florida donated $100,000 to Make-a-Wish Foundation Southern Florida — making RCASF the largest non-corporate contributor to the foundation. 

The Roofing Contractors Association of South Florida is composed of charitable contractors and associate members who work together for the benefit of children struggling with life threatening illness in our community. In addition to the $100,000 awarded to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, RCASF contributed $15,000 to the International Game Fish Association’s Junior Angler Division (IGFA).

This year’s Fishing Tournament was held at Whale Harbor Marina and Event Center in Islamorada, Fla. on June 9. The awards ceremony was held at the IGFA on Aug. 1. 

“RCASF truly believes in our wish granting mission,” said Norm Wedderburn, CEO and president of the Make-A-Wish Foundation Southern Florida. “Because of this year’s fishing tournament, we will grant 20 transformational wishes for local children who have critical illnesses. We are very grateful to RCASF for their continued support.”

“We are inspired by the work Make-A-Wish does to brighten the lives of children diagnosed with critical illnesses,” said Gene Fall, president of Certified Roofing and RCASF Fishing Tournament Committee Chairman. “We understand the important role emotional health plays in overcoming illness.  We are proud to support programs that can provide hope, inspiration and happiness, especially in the lives of children.”  As a non-profit receiving no government funding, Make-A-Wish relies on the support of donors to make wish granting possible.

In 2015, the RCASF Fishing Tournament Committee initiated their Signature Sponsor Program with Earl W. Johnston Roofing gifting $5,000 or ‘one wish’ to a child in need.  For the second year in a row, the program expanded to 11 Signature Sponsors each donating one ‘wish’. Those sponsors were:

• Certified Roofing
• Chase Roofing & Contracting
• CJM Roofing
• Earl W. Johnston Roofing
• Empire Roofing Companies
• Frank H. Furman Insurance Inc.
• Hi-Tech Roofing & Sheet Metal
• Seeber Roofing
• Spec Building Materials
• Weather-Tech Roofing
• Barry & Gail Birenbaum/Anthony Utter & Wendy Harvest.

Additionally, a group donation for a Signature Sponsorship was achieved when Anthony Utter & Lynne Johnston called for 50 people to walk forward with $100 each during the Tournament Banquet.

“What a sight it was to see a room full of roofing contractors, local distributors and vendors all running to the stage to donate $100 to help these children who are facing a health crisis,” said Dave Clark, district manager, Beacon Roofing Supply and committee member of the Senior Tournament.

The RCASF Fishing Committee has already begun planning for next year’s tournament on June 8, 2019 with the goal of brightening the lives of even more children. They encourage donations of fishing related items for auction and financial sponsorships. 

The RCASF website can be found at www.rcasf.org.