The two-time MLB All-Star, World Series champion and MVP teed off one last time in a heartfelt farewell to his past decade of dedicated service to Fresh Start Surgical Gifts.
CHICAGO — June 19, 2025 — In a powerful send-off to a decade-long tradition, former MLB superstar Jermaine Dye took his final swing as host of Fresh Start Surgical Gifts’ 10th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic. For the past 10 years, the two-time MLB all-star has been a dedicated partner for Fresh Start, serving as the anchor for the charitable event in Chicago and helping raise funds for underprivileged children around the world in need of reconstructive surgery and critical medical care.
Partnering with global nonprofit Fresh Start Surgical Gifts, Dye and an array of notable celebrities, philanthropists and professional athletes took to the course at St. Charles Country Club in the name of helping children in need. Because of Dye’s humanitarian leadership, Fresh Start Surgical Gifts has raised funds and resources to provide over $5 million in free medical care, changing the lives of hundreds of children in the Chicagoland area. With every cent directly funding the transportation, housing, surgery and follow-up medical care for patients, Fresh Start ensures no patient or their family ever pays a dime.
Joining Dye to make this incredible reality possible and ensure every child has a chance to live a happy, productive life were NFL stars such as former Buffalo Bills defensive back Chris Hale, first-round NFL pick Wendell Davis and 2014 Super Bowl champion Walter Thurmond III. Dye was also joined by former White Sox teammates such as fellow MLB All-Star and World Series Champion Jon Garland and starting pitcher Adam Russell.
“Our 10th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic in Chicago marks an incredible milestone for our fundraising efforts and our mission of helping transform the lives of children from around the world,” said Shari Brasher, CEO of Fresh Start Surgical Gifts. “We want to thank Jermaine for his decade of support and our donors who make it possible for us to continue providing children critical surgeries and medical care, bringing a huge relief to patients and their families who otherwise could not afford it.”
What seems to be just a beautiful day on the course and friendly competition between superstar athletes has ended up making all the difference in the lives of hundreds of children. Every year since 2015, Dye’s leadership as host of Fresh Start’s Celebrity Golf Classic tournament in Chicago has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for children with congenital deformities caused by accidents, abuse, birth and disease. While many of these children are initially turned away or unable to afford the necessary medical care, Fresh Start Surgical Gifts and their superstar partners, such as Jermaine Dye, have given these children a chance at a true fresh start.
Now in its 10th year, the Celebrity Golf Classic remains a cornerstone of Fresh Start’s mission, raising essential funds to provide free reconstructive surgeries to disadvantaged children from around the world. All proceeds from the event directly fund Fresh Start’s medical services, ensuring that all patients receive transformative care with no financial burden.
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