FAYETTEVILLE, Ark., December 16, 2009 – The family foundation of Arkansas basketball coach John Pelphrey has presented an early holiday gift to three local organizations. Pel’s Pals, founded in 2007 by Pelphrey and his wife Tracy, made donations this month to UAMS Maternal-Fetal Medicine, EOA Children’s House and the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Foundation.
“I am overwhelmed by the generosity of both John and Tracy in selecting the Endowment in Maternal-Fetal Medicine at UAMS as one of the beneficiaries of Pel’s Pals,” said Paul Wendel, Director of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at UAMS. “This just serves as another example of their outstanding character and class they demonstrate in their lives when confronted with adversity. It is easy for me to see why the people of our state have so much respect for Coach Pelphrey.”
Pel’s Pals was created to honor the memory of the Pelphreys’ late son, John Patrick, who passed away prematurely in 2003. The foundation aims to benefit children’s charities throughout the state with an emphasis on neonatal care. Support for the foundation has come from local community members and corporations based in the region including donations from Mars, JB Hunt, Walmart, Tyson, Arkansas Farm Bureau and P&G.
“I cannot say enough about the outpouring of support for Pel’s Pals over the past 18 months,” said Pelphrey. “It was truly a blessing for our family to come to Arkansas a few years ago and now we are very excited to have the opportunity to give back. There is some
great work being done at UAMS, the Children’s House and Arkansas Children’s Hospital and we proud to be able to support their initiatives.”
This past June, Pel’s Pals hosted a charity gala and golf tournament to raise funds for the foundation. The annual fundraising events for 2010 will include a Razorback Roast held on Friday, May 21, 2010 at the Fayetteville Town Center, a Golf Tournament and Tennis Round Robin/Ladies Luncheon on Monday, May 24, 2010 at the Blessings Golf Course and Fayetteville Athletic Club respectively.
Individual donations to Pel’s Pals can be made by contacting the Arkansas basketball office at 479.575.6389. For more information about Pel’s Pals and its mission please visit www.pelspals.org.
About Pel’s Pals
The “Pel’s Pals” Foundation was organized in 2007 by Tracy and John Pelphrey in memory of their infant son, John Patrick Pelphrey, who died prematurely in 2003. The foundation was established to honor John Patrick’s name by generating financial support to benefit children’s charities with a special emphasis on providing resources and education for neonatal efforts across the United States. Proceeds are generated from annual fundraising activities. www.PelsPals.org.