Findlay Acura

Findlay Acura helps Children's Heart Foundation through annual golf tournament

After their daughter's short 14 month life, the parents of Maggie Stewart were forever changed and also determined to do something to help families in similar situations.

Maggie passed away in July 2008 from complications during a procedure to correct a congenital heart defect.

The story of John and Mollie Stewart and their annual "We Heart Maggie Golf Tournament" scheduled for May 30, 2010 at Black Mountain Golf & Country Club in Henderson was brought to the attention of Jim "Red" Donohue, Internet director at Findlay Acura (FindlayAcura.com).

"I was so impressed with what the Stewarts were doing in memory of their daughter and in support of the Children's Heart Foundation of Nevada," said Donohue, "that I was determined to get the dealership behind this year's golf tournament. I knew we could help spread the word and generate more donations for Maggie's cause."

Although participation in the golf tournament is already maxed out at 215 golfers, sponsorships and cash donations are always accepted on the event's Web site at WeHeartMaggie.com. All net proceeds from the tournament are donated to Children's Heart Foundation of Nevada (chfn.org).

"At Findlay Acura we believe strongly in giving back to the community we call home," said James Cobbs, the dealership's general manager. "It's something we learned from the late Pete Findlay and continues to this day under the direction of his son, Cliff. We think the We Heart Maggie Golf Tournament in Henderson is a great event that raises awareness for the children and their families, both so deeply affected by heart problems."

The golf tournament was created last year by the parents of Maggie Stewart who was born with multiple heart defects. Her father, John Stewart, said they "had an amazing 14 months with little Maggie. Despite all the medications and poking and prodding, to know her, and to see her temperament and personality, you would have never known she suffered from a heart condition. Reflecting on our time with Maggie, it seems as if God knew we would only have a short time with her, so He made the time we did have with her perfect."

Their experience with regular monthly appointments to monitor their little girl's heart conditions and respiratory issues introduced the Stewarts to the Children's Heart Foundation of Nevada. After receiving so much support and strength from other parents in similar situations, the Stewarts decided to play an active role in the Children's Heart Foundation.

In addition to organizing the annual golf tournament, the Stewarts in partnership with Children's Heart Foundation of Nevada have created Maggie's Garden at the Children's Heart Center of Las Vegas. Maggie's Garden is a special room for children diagnosed with heart defects where they can play and select a toy to keep prior to undergoing a hospital procedure. "It's a place where," according to Stewart, "heart kids will hopefully be able to escape the fear of their pending heart procedure, even if only for a short time."

Founded in 2001 through the compassionate efforts of Las Vegas valley pediatric cardiologists and families of children with heart problems, Children's Heart Foundation of Nevada (chfn.org) provides education, emotional and financial support, as well as summer camp experiences for children who are heart patients.

 "We're so flattered and thrilled that Findlay Acura has given its support to the We Heart Maggie Golf Tournament," said Stewart. "We raised $50,000 as a result of the 2009 tournament and with Findlay Acura's help, we're looking forward to providing an even larger donation to Children's Heart Foundation of Nevada this year."