The 5th Annual Rainbow International Charity Golf Classic held on May 5, 2015 at the Cobblestone Park Golf Club raised more than $40,000 to benefit two young mothers who are battling late-stage cancer. Rainbow International of Columbia, SC, sponsored the event to support The Sparkle Caps Project, a local charity.

This year’s event benefited two local mothers, Joanie Loquist and Kelly Hallman, who both have stage four cancer. Through this annual event, Reed Mattingly, owner of Rainbow International of Columbia, said they hope to provide financial and emotional support to women like Loquist and Hallman, and their families.

“All of us at Rainbow International of Columbia are grateful for our success and are always looking for opportunities to give back to our community,” said Mattingly. Rainbow International of Columbia is a leader in emergency restoration and reconstruction services, recognized and respected for always meeting and exceeding the expectations of its customers and employees.

Mattingly would like to extend a special thanks to all the sponsors and volunteers who participated in this fundraising event. There were 140 golfers and 43 sponsors who participated. “We couldn’t do this every year without the heart-felt support from businesses and individuals in this community who share the common goal of supporting these young mothers and their families,” said Mattingly.

In addition to the funds raised at the event, Connor Shaw, Cleveland Browns quarterback, has graciously provided scholarships to the families’ five young boys for his upcoming football camp at Irmo High School in June. The Jack and Jill of America Foundation is also providing each family with a vacation trip to a destination of their choice.

The Sparkle Caps Project is a local charity that was established in October 2010. The founder, Susan Heimbigner, went through her own cancer journey, which led her to start this charity. The goal of Sparkle Caps is to empower and lift up women in treatment for cancer with support, love, and personal experiences of cancer survivors. They let women know that, in spite of their hair loss, they are “hot chicks”, and their femininity is not tied to their hair. They also help women maintain positive attitudes during their battle.

In recognition of all Mattingly does to give back in the community, he also recently received a Community Builder Award for his work on this event and other projects that he has helped with to give back in the community. This award is presented to unsung heroes who have made a significant impact on a group in the community, made the community a better place to live, or filled a need not served by traditional governmental services/agencies. The award was presented by WIS-TV and Mungo Homes. Each Community Builder receives $1,000 from the Michael J. Mungo Foundation to donate to the designated 501C-3 charity of their choice. 

“I feel very honored to receive this award, however, I don’t do this for the recognition,” said Mattingly. “Touching people’s lives and easing the financial burden for these families so they can focus on their battles more is what drives me to do this.”

According to Mattingly’s team, Reed is blessed in many ways – family, health and a successful business – but there is not a day that goes by where he doesn't look for an opportunity to give back to his fellow man and/or community.