Today was the 6th Mike Gregoire Memorial Golf Tournament at Deer Creek. It was a beautiful day for golf! Madison and Jack were there bright and early to greet golfers and thank everyone for their support. They visited the putting hole contest, helped set up the banquet room and toured around in a golf cart.
The dinner and silent auction were also a great success! Madison did a great job recognizing two of her warrior friends and here is what Mommy said:
“Thank you everyone for being here today in remembrance of Mike Gregoire, and to support Madison, her friends and the Steven Budai Foundation.
We can’t believe it’s already been one year since we were last here and spoke to you about all the possibilities for Madison – up coming therapies, possible surgeries, new equipment. And now fast forward a year..wow…its pretty unbelievable thinking of everything that has happened because of all of you. Thank you to Lisa, Jessica and Pat for your support these last three years and including Madison in the tournament.
5 months ago, Madison had her life changing surgery in St Louis. It was important to us to prepare her as much as possible for the physical demands of rehab, so thanks to your support from last years tournament we were able to increase Madison’s therapy program to prepare her for surgery.
Last years tournament gave her 60 hours of physiotherapy, 28 hours of swimming, 140 hours of conductive education and most importantly – a strong, confident, happy girl who was ready for surgery.
Thank you to everyone for your continued support. Thank you to everyone who shared Madison’s story this past year, cheered us on, met with us for hours to help us plan our next steps – thank you to everyone who was a part of preparing Madison for her life changing moment – she is now 5 months post op and has already surpassed her abilities from where she was pre-op.
She’s now learning to walk with canes and take better balanced, coordinated, slow steps. I looked back at what I had prepared to say to you last year. At this point last year, we were celebrating 15 independent steps – our last count a few weeks ago was 100 steps! Thank you for being such an important part of giving our daughter the ability to walk.
-As most of you already know, since we take up close to half of the people in this room – the extended Gregoire families are a force to be reckoned with – its thanks to all of you that our fundraising efforts were so successful. It’s also important to us that we show gratitude and be thankful for what we have.
Like all members of our family, Mike was a man who was involved with his community. He was always looking for ways to help others and give back.
This year, the golf tournament committee decided to honor Mike by looking for other children in the same rehab phase as Madison to help them with their journeys.
We understand the importance of therapy after surgery and wanted to help others who needed the same support. We asked families in the SDR Ontario community to apply to the tournament by submitting a video of how the money raised from this years tournament could help them move forward with their rehab after surgery.
We had many beautiful videos submitted, in the end the committee chose two children, Sofia and Bentley who are here with us tonight. We would like for you to see their videos that they submitted so you can see how you are helping these two warriors continue to move forward
In the next few weeks after the final donations roll in, Madison will be presenting Sofia and Bentley with their donations from the tournament for their various therapies.
Thank you to all our volunteers today who were out on the course all day, setting up the silent auction and 50-50 draw and to Deer Creek for hosting us and providing excellent food and service.
Many of you also donated many of the silent auction items and door prizes that are here tonight so thank you for your participation and support.
Today was an extremely successful tournament – we hope you all enjoy yourselves tonight and thank you again for being here in honor of Mike.”
It was a wonderful day!
Madi Moves 
Once again, the Gregoire and extended family step up to the tee to hit the ball to the pin. Looks like you all had an amazing day at a gorgeous location. What a tremendous gift you are giving to two others. What a family you are! May God Bless you all.
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