Sheryl Siu
Photo from Sheryl Siu
For the eighth year in a row, Hyatt Regency Waikiki hosts its Swing for Wishes golf tournament, which takes place each October, to benefit Make-A-Wish Hawaii.
The tourney encourages participants to “swing for the 80th wish,” and features a fun day of golf, lunch, dinner and a silent auction.
Director of retail operations Sheryl Siu has been on the fundraiser committee, comprised solely of volunteers, since its inception, and three years ago made the move to chairwoman.
“It’s been a great journey,” says Siu. “Every year it just gets better in building the tournament to what it is today.”
While the event sold out two months ahead of the tournament date, Hyatt still is striving for its goal of $125,000 to benefit Hawaii’s keiki.
To date, the total amount raised from Swing For Wishes nears $500,000, and each year the committee exceeds its fundraising goal.
Siu, who has been with the hotel for 25 years, notes it’s always possible to donate funds or door prizes.
There still are whole sponsorships available for the event, slated for Oct. 23 at Hawaii Prince Golf Course. (Hyatt also is gearing up to host Special Olympics Hawaii’s Over the Edge 2014 Nov. 8 at the hotel’s Ewa Tower.)
Funds raised in coordination with the event will go toward making wishes come true for keiki, and each wish totals approximately $7,000 to $8,000.
According to Make-A-Wish Hawaii, Hyatt will be able to grant its 80th wish this October, thanks to Swing For Wishes tournament.
“To make 80 wishes come true for keiki in Hawaii is just awesome for us,” says Siu, who also puts together Hyatt’s annual Lighting Ceremony, which features music, bubbles, pageant queens and more. “Seeing them and their faces and how happy and grateful they are just being at our event and what we’re doing for them just makes it all worthwhile.
“Currently, they (Make-A-Wish Hawaii) are at a record-breaking active wishes in progress, with 90-plus children currently waiting for their wish to come true,” Siu adds. “The main thing is to benefit Make-A-Wish Hawaii kids.
“It just motivates me and the committee that much more to press for it and make as much money as we can to make those wishes happen.”
To make a donation or for more information, call 237-6341 or visit swingforwishes.com.
