11.20.2007 - 11:59pm ET

(CSRwire) LOS ANGELES, CA - November 20, 2007 - On a day made for golf, 225 golfers teed off at MountainGate Country Club in Los Angeles, California for the troops and their families. Four lucky golfers attended, with expenses paid, as drawing winners from the Lindsay Golf Course, Ft. Knox, Kentucky and the Timacuan Golf Club Lake Mary, Florida golf scrambles held earlier this year. USA Cares staff and volunteers turned out to support with introductions to the participants and information about the organization.

L.A. scramble organizer Patrick Shipstead, partner in the national firm of Robins, Kaplan, Miller and Ciresi and member of the Executive Board for USA Cares, said, "Supporting America's sons and daughters should be a cause we can all get behind. I have been very impressed with USA Cares' success and professionalism in delivering that support to the families most in need in tangible, critical ways." As the father of an Air Force pilot, Shipstead can empathize with the difficulty of having a loved one deployed.

The 27-hole MountainGate championship course, designed by golf course architect Ted Robinson, appeared just a bit different during the classic. Colorful sponsor banners, including Yahoo and Best Buy, dotted the course that included three par - 3's adorned with brand new Lexus vehicles available for the taking with a simple Hole - In - One. The luxury cars sparkled in the sunlight taunting the pin-seekers as they made their way to the tee box to take their best shots. Good-natured ribbing was the best to be had, when the closest shot of the day landed just one foot away from the hole.

Following a glorious day on the links, a dinner and silent auction contributed to what became the largest private fund raising event benefiting USA Cares in its five-year history. The silent auction raised over $30,000 with ski packages, weekends at 5 star hotels and other significant donations by supporters and donors.

Gold Sponsors to the inaugural event included Amgen, Best Buy, Brown-Forman Corp, Holthouse Carlin & Van Tright, Liner Yankelevitz Sunshine & Regenstreif LLP, Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP, NSM Insurance Group, Pioneer Services, Welch Consulting and Yahoo!.

Responding to requests from Service members and their families, USA Cares has provided over $228,500 specifically to California based clients, all in the form of grants. USA Cares has received requests from around the world to assist in times of crisis, answering the call with financial support and advocacy, to the tune of 5M dollars.

Accepting the ceremonial check for USA Cares was President of the Board, Major General (Retired) John Tindall. Overwhelmed by the generosity and the days exceptional events, he noted that the scramble following Veterans Day and the scramble's overwhelming success was a clear demonstration that Americans of all walks of life have not forgotten the sacrifice and courage that our men and women in harms way face everyday, and the challenges of being part of the military family.

If your corporation, group or organization is interested in sponsoring a charity golfing event in 2008, and would like more information about USA Cares, please see our Website at www.usacares.us or email info@usacares.us .

USA Cares

USA Cares is a world wide charitable organization serving military service members and their families of all ranks and branches with direction and advice along with grant assistance for quality of life issues caused by military service. For more information about USA Cares, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, visit www.usacares.us or call 800.773.0387.

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