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SOUTH BEND — The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians announced Wednesday that a donation of $100,000 was presented to Beacon Children’s Hospital during a check presentation ceremony.  

The donation is a result of the proceeds from the 2023 Four Winds Invitational which took place from August 10 through 12 at South Bend Country Club.  Beacon Children’s Hospital will use the funds for a GlideScope® airway visualization system to help with intubation of patients and two Panda™ Warmers with resuscitation equipment for infant care.  The Four Winds Invitational is part of the Epson Tour, which enters its 44th year of structured competition in 2024 and is the most established women’s qualifying tour in the world as the one “Road to the LPGA.” 

“The Pokagon Band is very proud of our continued sponsorship of the Four Winds Invitational and our annual donations to Beacon Health System and Beacon Children’s Hospital, which now total $992,500 over the past twelve years,” said Rebecca Richards, Tribal Chairwoman for the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi. “We would like to thank everyone who was involved in supporting the tournament and helped to make this donation possible including the LPGA Epson Tour, South Bend Country Club and its members, our sponsors, team members, volunteers, and vendors.  We are also excited to announce that the 2024 Four Winds Invitational will take place from Friday, August 30 through Sunday, September 1 at South Bend Country Club.”

“We couldn’t be more proud of our Four Winds team members and partners who have worked tirelessly to host a successful tournament every year since the Four Winds Invitational was first established in 2012,” added Clayton Mason, Interim-Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Four Winds Casinos.  “2024 will mark the 13th edition of the tournament and we look forward to another great event in August.”  

Jen Tonkovich, Director of Women and Children’s Services for Beacon Health System said, “We are very thankful for our long-term partnership with the Pokagon Band, its Four Winds Casinos, and all of the donors that have generously supported the Four Winds Invitational over the years.  This collective effort and shared passion for helping others continues to make a difference in our efforts to provide lifesaving and critical healthcare to patients and families in the region.”