Amy (Orendorff) Finn '09 gave $8.7 million to charity last year.
Now, that's enriching lives.
Finn's not really a millionaire philanthropist. As the Manager of Charity Development and Support for the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic, however, she helps marshal an army of volunteers from the more than 400 charitable organizations who participate in the JDC's wildly successful Birdies for Charity program.
Since 1971, the tournament has helped raise more than $70 million for charities in eastern Iowa and western Illinois. Introduced in 1993, Birdies for Charity has produced $58 million of that total. Most of that is thanks to community members who pledge to give a penny or more to their favorite charity for every birdie the golf professionals make in competition during the annual event in Silvis, Ill.
Last year's Birdies contribution represented a $2 million increase over the previous year and made the Quad City tourney one of only six among the 47 sanctioned PGA Tour events to exceed $8 million in funds generated for charity.
Finn oversees the Platinum Tee Club, a program through which large donors help supplement a bonus pool that matches each charity's collected pledges by as much as 10 percent. She also serves as contact person for participating charities throughout the year.
Gratifying work?
You bet it is.
"Being in this role, being part of a program that gives back to the community in such a grand way, is really fulfilling," she said.
It's certainly not a job Finn expected when she graduated with a St. Ambrose bachelor's degree in elementary education, but it fits well with the mission-driven life lessons that come with an SAU education.
"It's something that was instilled in me-giving back to the community," said Finn, whose activities at St. Ambrose included serving as a founding member of the Student Alumni Association. "Service to your community is something St. Ambrose is big on, and I have always appreciated that."
Since her graduation, Finn has found another reason to appreciate her alma mater. She met James Finn '07, '09 MBA only after each had left St. Ambrose, but they were introduced by common Ambrosian friends.
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