Feldman Automotive Celebrity Golf Event Raises Funds for Children’s Health Care at Detroit Golf Club

On a sunny summer morning, laughter and cheers echoed across the greens of the Detroit Golf Club, but this was no ordinary day on the course. Rylee and Braylen Watson, siblings from Southfield, each with their own journeys of overcoming speech disorders, were more than just spectators. They stood as ambassadors of hope, representing the thousands of children who have benefitted from Corewell Health Children’s hospital, supported by the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN). Their story, like many others, became a powerful reminder of why the Feldman Automotive Children’s Miracle Celebrity Invitational exists—a beacon of support for families in need and a rallying cry for continued community engagement.

Now in its fourth year, the invitational, held annually in Metro Detroit, has grown into the region’s largest celebrity golf event. The Feldman Automotive Children’s Miracle Celebrity Invitational takes place on Monday, August 26th, at the Detroit Golf Club. The cause: raising vital funds for children’s health care and youth services. With over 60 national and local celebrities in attendance, including actors, athletes, and musicians, the event offers a rare opportunity for participants to mingle with stars while making a tangible difference in the lives of local children. Behind this grand spectacle is the steadfast leadership of Jay Feldman, chairman and CEO of Feldman Automotive Group and Mark Wahlberg Automotive, Inc., who has been the title sponsor since the event’s inception in 2021.

Feldman, along with co-chair Mark Wahlberg, is actively involved in securing celebrity appearances, working hand-in-hand with the event’s organizing committee. But for Feldman, the cause transcends the glamour of celebrity and the prestige of the event. This is about giving back to the community and helping those who need it most.

The event’s impact is both immediate and long-lasting. Since its debut, the Feldman Automotive Children’s Miracle Celebrity Invitational has raised over $3.4 million for the Children’s Miracle Network at Corewell Health Children’s hospital and the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation. This year, the goal is to raise an additional $1.5 million, bringing the total funds raised to nearly $5 million. The proceeds will provide life-saving services, vital pediatric equipment, and scholarships for families who struggle to afford necessary care for their children.

For local children like Everett LaBrash, who began his life as a preemie fighting for every breath, the funds raised have been nothing short of life-saving. With the help of the team at Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital, Everett has overcome numerous respiratory challenges and is now thriving at home with his family. Stories like Everett’s, alongside those of Rylee, Braylen, and Kennedy Shallal—who bravely fought acute lymphoblastic leukemia—are the heart and soul of this event. These children represent the resilience and strength that the invitational seeks to support and celebrate.

Corewell Health Children’s is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in Southeast Michigan, serving more than 200,000 children annually across a nine-county region. Importantly, all money raised for the CMN at Corewell Health Children’s stays local, ensuring that the children in Southeast Michigan receive the care and services they need close to home. This localized focus means that the community directly benefits from every dollar raised, whether it’s funding neonatal resuscitation monitors that help newborns take their first breaths or providing NICU incubators that keep high-risk infants warm and safe.

This year’s event, already a sellout, is set to raise the bar even higher. More than $1.2 million has already been secured, with more to come from live auctions featuring one-of-a-kind packages, including a Taylor Swift-signed electric guitar. The event’s fundraising committee, comprised of notable community figures like Tom Celani, Nino Cutraro, and Bob Skandalaris, works tirelessly to ensure that every year outshines the last, not only in terms of star power but also in the amount of support raised for the children of Metro Detroit.

For those unable to attend, there’s still an opportunity to contribute. Individuals can support the kids by texting CELEBS to 71777 or by donating on behalf of a participating celebrity. Every donation helps to create miracles for children and their families, ensuring that no child is left without the care they deserve.

The partnership between Feldman Automotive and the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation also demonstrates a commitment to youth far beyond the borders of Michigan. The foundation, led by Jim Wahlberg, provides financial resources and community support to youth services across the country. With a focus on improving the quality of life for young people, the foundation helps ensure that the funds raised at the invitational not only impact local children but also contribute to a broader national mission of supporting youth in need.

As the sun sets on this year’s invitational, the impact will continue to ripple through the community. The celebrities may leave the course, but the funds raised will go on to support life-saving treatments, critical medical services, and programs that empower children like Rylee, Braylen, Kennedy, and Everett to live healthier, fuller lives. For the Detroit community, this event isn’t just about golf—it’s about coming together to lift up the most vulnerable among us and ensuring that every child has the chance to thrive.

The Feldman Automotive Children’s Miracle Celebrity Invitational isn’t just an event; it’s a movement of hope, resilience, and community. And as long as there are children in need, the drive to support them will continue to grow stronger every year.