Legendary Rockies first baseman joins Volunteers of America in welcoming golfers to charity tournament

Todd “The Toddfather” Helton, who played his entire 17-year career for the Colorado Rockies, winning numerous awards as a ball player and a humanitarian, is the celebrity guest at Volunteers of America’s Legends Golf Tournament. Held each August at RE/MAX’s Sanctuary Golf Course in Sedalia, CO, the tournament traditionally features a baseball celebrity who mingles with golfers at a pre-tournament party, shares insider stories that make up baseball legends and competes in the tourney. An event partnership with Colorado Rockies Charities makes this is a golf tournament with a distinctly baseball theme.

“Todd Helton is a terrific choice,” says Jim White, Volunteers of America Director of Community Affairs. “He’s the greatest player in the history of the Rockies and, when the time comes, he’s sure to be voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.”

First baseman Helton is a five-time All-Star (2000-2004), four-time Silver Slugger (2000-2003) and three-time Gold Glove Award (2001, 2002, 2004) winner who played his entire 17-year career with the Colorado Rockies.

Helton was drafted by the Rockies in the first round of the 1995 amateur draft and debuted in 1997. He holds Rockies records for RBIs (1,370), runs (1,373), career total bases (4,179), doubles (574), walks (1,308), and games played (2,168). In 2009, he hit his 500th double, a feat accomplished by only 49 players in the history of the game. Helton retired at the end of the 2013 season and, in 2014, the Rockies retired Helton's number 17; he is the first Rockies player to have his number retired in the team's history.

In 2005, he created the Helton Foundation to invest in improving the health of children in Colorado. His charitable efforts extend to members of the US Armed Forces at Fort Carson and Buckley Air Force Base, patients at Denver’s Children’s Hospital, beneficiaries of Rockies’ programs for students and seniors, along with various Boys and Girls Clubs. Fans who donate $25 to Helton’s Autographs for a Cause project receive a signed photo.

The Volunteers of America’s Legends Golf Tournament kicks off on Wednesday, August 5, at a player’s party at the Denver ChopHouse & Brewery in downtown Denver, when guests post for photos with Helton and bid in a live auction of baseball memorabilia, including a signed Helton jersey. A limited number of tickets, priced at $100 per person, are available for non-golfers who would like to attend.

The tournament takes place the following day, Thursday, August 6, at RE/MAX’s Sanctuary, a private course reserved for charity tournaments and invited guests and rated among the top 150 courses in the nation. Tournament entry fees start at $5,000 per foursome and $7,500 for hole sponsorships. Funds raised support VOA’s literacy efforts for students who need help with reading comprehension.

Tournament co-chairs are Lee Earnhart of Chambers Wine & Liquor, John Milek of CoBiz Insurance and Greg Stiff of the J M Smucker Company.

For more information, tournament registration and player’s party tickets, please contact tournament coordinator Denise Robert at 303-368-5208 or Denise@DeniseRobert.com.