Golf Classic Fundraiser Tremendous Success for local Crime Stoppers

The Crime Stoppers Bill Grigsby 18th Annual Memorial Golf Classic was held Monday, August 20th at the Lakewood Oaks Golf Club in Lee's Summit, Missouri. Todd Harrison, second vice president of the not-for-profit organization and Operation's Manager at Atronic Alarms, Inc. in Lenexa, said that it was a tremendous success.

"We had organizations and individuals in the area sponsoring 33 participating teams, and it turned out to be a beautiful day," Harrison said. "This golf tournament is the single largest fundraiser for the Kansas City Crime Stopper's program raising over $50,000 for the 'Tips Hotline.'  To date we have given out around 1.2 million dollars."

The Kansas City Crime Stoppers is celebrating their 30th anniversary and Harrison has been on the board of the Kansas City chapter for seven years. He says has been fortunate to be involved with an organization that has such a positive impact on the community.

"We have been the sole instigator for over 10,000 Kansas City arrests due to the anonymous tips from residents . . . which is quite an impact," Harrison said. "We have also added to our program by giving texting and emailing options which appeals to all ages. Since we have implementing these new modes of communication our tips have shown a tremendous increase."

The phone number to call in an anonymous tip is 816-474-TIPS, or you may text TIP452 plus your message to CRIMES, which is 274637. You may also go to their website and submit a tip through an email form at kccrimestoppers.com.

Atronic Alarms was one of the organizations that sponsored the event and participated in the 4-man scramble. Their team consisted of Harrison; Perry Atha, president; Neil Atha, vice president and Detective Kevin Boehm, the Crime Stoppers coordinator.

Harrison said that each sponsorship give you slots for three players and then the 4th is a law enforcement officer of your choice. If you don't know someone in law enforcement then the organization will assign one to your team. All law enforcement is represented, from Police to FBI to Secret Service in every municipality.

"It is a lot of work, but with dozens of committee members and volunteers it really makes my job easier," said Harrison of the event.

PHOTOJOURNAL OF EVENT
Photos by Rick Zink, System Design Consultant for Atronic Alarms, Inc.

The Atronic Alarms' 4-man scramble team consisted of
Neil Atha, Todd Harrison, Kevin Boehm and Perry Atha. Shown
in the middle is KMBC Channel 9's Evening Anchor, Lara Moritz.

Todd Harrison, second vice president of Crime Stoppers,
presents the winners their trophies during the awards ceremony.

This year's highest bidder of a Len Dawson's autographed football was
David Burlew who donated $600 during the live auction.
Burlew stands with Dawson (right),who has been inducted into two
halls of fame; the Football Hall of Fame and the Broadcaster's Hall of Fame.

Perry Atha, president of Atronic Alarms and his son,
Neil Atha, vice president, made up half the Atronic team.

Crime Stopper's president Dave Lamaster (left) gives a 'thumbs up' for
Lara Moritz and her fundraising efforts with Todd Harrison (right).

The Crime Stopper's Bill Grigsby Golf Classic is the largest
fundraising event for the organization with the other being an
auction held at The Pavilion at Arrowhead Stadium in October.

Todd Harrison and Neil Atha enjoy the day.

News Anchor/Reporter Katie Ferrell with Fox 4 Kansas City
prepares to interview Todd Harrison for the Fox 4 morning show.

Ferrell speaks with Harrison about Crime Stoppers
and the 18th Annual Golf Classic. The live remote aired
the morning of August 20th.

Watch the Channel 4 live broadcast with Todd Harrison and Katie Ferrel here:

Kansas Pulls out a Win in 2012 Rivalry Run

Last Saturday, August 18, 2012, Kansas pulled out a win at the 3rd annual Rivalry Run, a 5k race between Kansas and Missouri participants. It could have been the visit from Baby Jay in morning which helped motivate the Kansas runners as they ended with 663 to Missouri's 632.

The Rivalry Run, the main fundraising event for the not-for-profit organization Domestic Violence Protection Services Agency (DVPSA), saw over 900 participants this year as the "border war" with Kansas versus Missouri came together to "run off domestic violence."

The runners start out to run the 3.1 mile course
in Downtown Kansas City. All proceeds go to the DVPSA.

The DVPSA is a not-for-profit agency "founded with the idea that battered women need more than a protection order to ensure their safety." The agency assists in protecting families with providing trained, off-duty law enforcement to evaluate the situation and provide protection, as well as a home security system to help protect against unauthorized entry into the home.

Atronic Alarms was one of the sponsors of the event for the 2nd year in a row.

For more information or to participate in 2013, visit the Rivalry Run's website or check out the DVPSA online.