Mascots in costumes. It’s a great way to fire up the fans, cheering on the team to victory and bringing the energy to the home team.
They live by a code – to never betray their characters.
But when several team mascots visited with kids from Children’s of Alabama as part of the kickoff for the 2024 Regions Tradition, you might not have been able to see the faces inside the mascots, but you could bet that there were definitely smiles all around.
Because there were definitely smiles on the children’s faces.
The children who visited the special event on Tuesday, May 7, not only got to bump fists and exchange hugs with Big Al (University of Alabama), Blaze (University of Alabama Birmingham), Stanley Stallion (Birmingham Stallions) and Gnash (Nashville Predators), but they also enjoyed a putting challenge and some virtual games with former Auburn footballer and current ESPN analyst Cole Cubelic. It was an opportunity to the real beneficiaries of the Regions Tradition.
That would be Children’s of Alabama – and, more importantly, the young people and their families that benefit for their exceptional care and work.
“With partners like Regions and other corporation, we can do so much more,” said Chandler Bibb, chief development officer for Children’s of Alabama. “{The Regions Tradition] helps provide the support we need to provide the very best medicine, the very best care to every child that we serve.”
Since Regions signed on as the primary sponsor of the Tradition, Children’s of Alabama has been the tournament’s primary beneficiary. Since that 2011 start, the tournament has raised more than $11.5 million, with the majority of those funds going to this premier children’s healthcare facility.
“It’s moments like this where you’re able to help give back a little, see what Regions does and what the golf tournament does,” said Cubelic. “It’s really cool to see the impact, and it’s impressive to see the magnitude of this facility.”
The Regions Tradition is being played May 9-12 at Greystone Golf and Country Club. Since the tournament began some 30-plus years ago, it’s raised $22.7 million for charities.