By Zeb Hargett

Kerrie Benson is a dynamo. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. She has found her calling through a lifetime of enthusiasm, love, and patience. As a development coordinator for Children’s Hospital of Alabama, she has brought many donors to the table, and the golf course, among other fun venues. All in the name of love for helping others!

Tee-Off for a Cure is in its 20th year and takes place at Lakewood Golf Club in Point  Clear on March 15. There are still sponsorships available and opportunities to join in the fun of playing, but you don’t have to be a golfer to have a grand time at The Grand Hotel. On Friday, March, 14, Kerrie will host a pre-tournament Roaring Twenties party at the Lakewood Golf Club. More about that later…

I met Kerrie a few years ago at this annual event and was immediately taken by her energy. It knows no bounds, yet there’s so much more than meets the eye. Born and raised in Birmingham, she was professionally trained in dance studios in Birmingham, Jacksonville, NYC, Chicago, London, and Las Vegas. She attended Jacksonville State University, where she was a member of the dance team. 

“I grew up dancing. I was on the dance team and continued in college. I did lots of theater and singing, and after graduation, I was on the Birmingham Steeldogs Arena Football dance team, Showsteelers (AFL2 Dance Team of the Year from 2002-2005). My dream was always to open my own dance studio.” With degrees in Psychology and Forensic Science, Kerrie thought she wanted to be an “F.B.I. agent and a Laker Girl.”

Back in Birmingham, Kerrie tells me she got her first “Big Girl” job at a children’s abuse agency. “It was really sad to see what these kids had to endure. I decided I wanted to work at a big non-profit, and Children’s Hospital had an opening in their development office raising funds. I began planning small events and loved meeting the parents of patients, who were so grateful.”

Along the way, Kerrie had two sons, Rock and Colt. Rock, or “Rockstar,” as Kerrie calls him, was named after Rocky Balboa. Around the age of two, Rock was diagnosed with severe autism. Semi-verbal, Rock presented many challenges, including behavioral issues. 

“I discovered he responded to music. Music is how we learn to communicate with each other. That and smart technology. He changed me for the better. I’d be shallow and really focused on myself without him. He taught me to strive to help others like him, but it’s a team effort with his dad. We travel a lot, including Philadelphia, where Rockstar ran the steps just like Rocky did.”

When a job transfer brought the family to Mobile, the Development Foundation at Children’s Hospital encouraged Kerrie to “see what you can do down there.” “I love the Gulf Coast, the Eastern Shore, and Mobile.” Rock’s brother is a 15-year-old Freshman at McGill, and they live in Midtown.

She started from scratch at the hospital’s office, where she first met Frances Grace, a young patient diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. “A.L.L. just shows up. It started with back pain, and it’s difficult to diagnose. It’s a bad one, very painful, but fortunately, there is an 85% cure rate. Frances Grace’s father is a big golfer, and he wanted to do something to raise awareness and funds for research. As a member of Lakewood Golf Club, we decided to launch Tee-Off For a Cure golf tournament. So far, we’ve raised about $1.5 million.”

Frances Grace, now 25, has beaten cancer three times. She is in nursing school and has been the event’s host for 20 years. Each year, she picks the theme of the pre-party. Last year, it was a pajama party, and this year, it’s a Roaring Twenties party. The Tee-Off for a Cure pre-party has been embraced by the Lakewood community and has grown into a premier event with music, great food, and an auction. 

“When first diagnosed, there really was no fund-raising presence for A.L.L.,” says Kerrie. “This year’s party will include music provided by David Ellis with Bill Clark on the saxophone. Both are staples at Bucky’s Lounge at The Grand. “David’s been there a million years. The Great Gatsby theme should prove to be a fun party atmosphere. The auction has great items including jewelry and a fancy golf trip to Pinehurst (Home of the 2024 U.S. Open) with accommodations and all the accouterments included.”

There is always the golf ball drop where a hole-in-one wins $5,000. “It’s an unspoken rule that the winner donates back to the party to help cover expenses for the families whose kids are going through treatment. It’s not just the kids who are affected. Some parents who have to leave their jobs and don’t have the funds for hotels may end up sleeping in their car. As a parent of a special needs child, there is nothing you won’t sacrifice.”

“Lakewood has been so generous over the years. Not many golf tournaments last 20 years and most of the people on the planning committee have been here since day one.” The party is free to attend, and Kerrie hopes to raise $100,000 for A.L.L cancer research. “$90,000 is the most we have raised. The Hirs family has become my family, too. Frances Grace tutors my son. I love it because I know where the money is going.”

About that dream to open her own dance studio? Kerrie launched Dance Without Limits for students with special needs. With a staff of 12 teachers including occupational and physical therapists, she says her goal is to never have a waiting list. She and her staff have taught at The Exceptional Foundation in Baldwin County, and she now has studios in Mobile, Fairhope, and Birmingham.

“There is a lot of overlap with Dance Without Limits special needs kids and cancer patients with physical limitations. Sometimes they end up at Children’s Hospital in Birmingham. That’s why we are here. Trying to make the most of a difficult situation.”

Kerrie is involved in multiple charitable projects, including an annual sailing regatta at the Fairhope Yacht Club, now in its 14th year. “Children’s of Alabama former CEO, Jim Dearth, passed away while on his sailboat, so it’s in his honor. We get to take some of our patients out on the water, and there are a lot of volunteers lending a hand or their boats.”

Another fundraiser, The Barn Bash, supports arthritis and autoimmune diseases. “It allows us to bring doctors down here to help identify individuals at high risk of developing arthritis or autoimmune disease before they show clinical symptoms.” This is a party held in October at Moe’s Original BBQ in downtown Mobile. 

One actual patient, now a sophomore at Samford, hosts a spearfishing tournament in Panama City. Birdies for Barron, honoring Barron Welch, is another golf tournament at Rock Creek. During the summer, an 80s night is held at OSO at Bear Point—all to raise money for patient care!

In addition to working with the Children’s Hospital of Alabama and directing  Dance Without Limits, Kerrie’s community involvement includes choreographing the Miss Alabama preliminary pageants, the FUSE Project’s Lip Sync Battle, and high school dance teams in the Scenic 98 Coastal area. She says her favorite choreography is for her students with special needs.

Break out your best Charleston dance moves and join the fun at the Roaring Twenties pre-Tee Off for a Cure tournament party at Lakewood. It’s a guaranteed good time for a great cause! Kerrie even said she could teach me to dance…

Thank you Kerrie for all you do to help others. You bring joy and light to everything you do!