Golfers, Sponsors Still Needed for Christopher Wheatley Memorial Golf Outing

Family and friends of are still looking for golfers and sponsors to participate in an upcoming memorial fundraiser.

The FF/PM Christopher D. Wheatley Memorial Foundation will hold its second annual golf outing on Wednesday, June 20, at , 12294 Archer Ave. The event will feature 18 holes of golf, an informal dinner and a four-hour open bar.

All proceeds will be used to fund scholarships in Wheatley's honor.

Almost immediately after the 31-year-old Lemont native  in August 2010, several family members set up a scholarship fund for students at , from which Christopher graduated in 1997.

In May 2011, the foundation —one for a student-athlete and one for a student interested pursuing a career in medicine or fire science.

This year, the foundation again awarded scholarships to a pair of Lemont High School seniors, but also expanded the program to include two scholarships for children of firefighters and paramedics, and another for a cadet in the Romeoville Fire Academy.

"The outpouring of love and support for our family after Christopher died was truly remarkable," said Mary Wheatley, Christopher's mother. "Thanks to the generosity of our friends and the Chicago Fire Department, we're able to keep building on this scholarship program, which I know would make Christopher so happy."

This May, two additional scholarships were funded through the Gold Badge Society of Chicago, an organization comprised of families of fallen firefighters and paramedics.

A $1,000 scholarship was awarded to a college student, and will recur annually for four years. A $500 scholarship was also awarded to a high school student, recurring annually for four years.

Earlier this year, Mary Wheatley said she was also working with the Romeoville Fire Academy to set up a scholarship that would assist those who have completed EMT/paramedic training and are entering the fire science program.

Christopher Wheatley briefly worked for the Romeoville Fire Department under the leadership of current Lemont Fire Chief Carl Churulo before heading to the Chicago Fire Department.

For more information on the scholarship program or fundraising efforts, visit the FF/PM Christopher D. Wheatley Memorial Foundation website or Facebook page.

The last day to register is Tuesday, June 12.

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