Celebrities from around the world gathered with Michael Phelps and PGA Tour golfer Jason Day on May 22 for the Golf.Give.Gala in Saint Charles, Il.
Preceding the event on the night before, a gala and concert featuring a “secret show” by Luke Bryan were held at Hotel Baker and the Arcada Theater, respectively. All proceeds from the two days went to either the Michael Phelps Foundation or the Jason Day Brighter Days Foundation.
There were many different levels of sponsorship available as seen in the program for the event, in addition to a variety of professional athletes and celebrities.
While Phelps was accompanied by none other than Debbie, Nicole and Boomer Phelps, the swimming world was also represented by four-time Olympic Gold Medalists Allison Schmitt and Lenny Krayzelburg, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Conor Dwyer and 2012 Paralympic Gold Medalist Victoria Arlen.
Swimmer & Olympic Gold Medalist, @conorjdwyer joined our exclusive list of celebrities at #GolfGiveGala! #ConorDwyer #Swim #MichaelPhelps pic.twitter.com/DH37Eji0EF
— Golf. Give. Gala. (@GolfGiveGala) March 30, 2017
Excited that US OLYMPIC MEDALIST swimmer @arschmitty is coming to #GolfGiveGala as a celebrity guest May 21-22! @MPFoundation @MichaelPhelps pic.twitter.com/QP4dLBOThB
— Golf. Give. Gala. (@GolfGiveGala) May 10, 2017
But guests were also greeted by celebrities such as the NFL’s Jay Feely, Zach Miller and Kyle Rudolph, NCAA coaches Urban Meyer, Chris Collins and Jim Harbaugh, actors Gregory Harrison, Bailey Chase and Raymond Cruz, and personalities Zuri Hall and Paige Spiranac.
Excited to have @RealRaymondCruz as a celebrity golfer at #GolfGiveGala! #BreakingBad #TheCloser #BetterCallSaul #MajorCrimes #StCharlesIL pic.twitter.com/3U9P0S6V1s
— Golf. Give. Gala. (@GolfGiveGala) April 4, 2017
DENNIS HAYSBERT, actor, is a celebrity golfer at #GolfGiveGala on May 21-22! @HaysbertDennis#Allstate@Allstate#TheUnit#StCharlesIL#Golfpic.twitter.com/T7DcQoz7nw
— Golf. Give. Gala. (@GolfGiveGala) March 30, 2017
Through sponsorships and an auction at the Hotel Baker gala, both Phelps and Day raised money for their respective charities. While the MP Foundation creates awareness of water safety and promotes swimming for young children, the Brighter Days Foundation works toward ending child hunger and providing families with necessities in the central Ohio area. Day explained that this means help paying bills, getting a piece of furniture or providing food. He also noted that there are dental and pregnancy clinics available as well.
“We’re able to help so many people that are in need, and for me that’s what I want to do every day; and especially me, with kids, now being a new dad,” Phelps said. “Being able to help them live the best life that they possibly can is a goal and a dream.”
And naturally, Phelps gave some comment on his competitiveness and the game of golf itself:
“It’s crazy that it’s that hard to play this game, to hit a stationary white ball,” he said. “It logically shouldn’t be that hard, but somehow we make it so much harder, which is brutal, and that’s what makes it so fun.”
More information about each organization can be found via the Brighter Days and MP Foundation websites.
That is really great he has a wonderful family