About Us

Dear Friends and Family,

Twenty -four years ago we invited family and a few friends to play golf in the hope of raising $5,000 for much needed library books and media equipment at The Learning Center for the Deaf in Framingham, MA where Sean Patrick, aka ” Skip”, was in kindergarten. We raised an amazing $22,000+ and a fundraising golf event was born. 

 

Inspired by the incredible generosity of our family, friends, colleagues and community we later established The Friendship Cup Golf Benefit for Deaf Children with our invaluable charitable partner, Easter Seals. Easter Seals dedication to advancing full equity, inclusion, education, and access to those with disabilities in unmatched. Their support has been critical to our ongoing ability to support various deaf organizations, schools, programs, camps and more.

 

This event has always been intended to provide a fun sporting venue while raising both awareness and desperately needed funds the deaf community. The Friendship Cup was named in the true belief that friendship is enduring, and all things are possible when people come together. The logo was designed by Sean Patrick in memory of his two grandfathers.  

 

We have been blessed and honored to have so many incredible deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing friends, family, students, grandparents, and more volunteer their time, energy, and skills to make these events so memorable and successful.  We will never forget their support and eagerness to make a difference. We are honored to call you friends!

 

We are proud to have raised over $1,500,000 in donations, sponsorships, and dedicated funds. These monies have been awarded to many deserving institutions dedicated to advancing and advocating for the education and development of deaf children and families.

 

We have experienced rainstorms and rainbows, a pandemic and pandemonium, laughter and tears and infinite gratitude for every moment. We thank each of you who has supported and/or played in The Friendship Cup or earlier tournament for you generosity, understanding and friendship. We will forever be humbled and honored for your support over the years.  We hope and pray that you enjoy this last tournament and most of all, please stay in touch!  We are always pleased to direct you to outstanding deaf organizations, deaf artists and DJ’s and programs that would always welcome you.

 

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts!!

God bless you and your loved ones.

All of our best,

Sue, Sean, and Skip Flanagan

 
PAST RECIPIENTS

  • Archdiocese of Boston Apostolate for the Deaf
  • Bishop Feehan High School ALS Program
  • Children’s Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf
  • Deaf Olympics
  • Deaf Space Camp, NASA
  • EDCO Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
  • Friends of Rhode Island School for the Deaf
  • Gallaudet University Regional Center — High School Academic Bowl
  • Iowa Baseball Camp for the Deaf
  • Iowa Hands and Voices
  • The Learning Center for the Deaf/Marie Philips School
  • Mark Seven Deaf Foundation
  • Maryland School for the Deaf
  • National Association for the Deaf
  • National Technical Institute for the Deaf
  • NEADS Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans
  • Rhode Island Association for the Deaf
  • USA Deaf Track & Field
  • American School for the Deaf
  • Austine School for the Deaf, VT
  • School for the Deaf, India
  • Easter Seals Headquarters, Chicago
  • Easters Seals of MA
  • Baxter School for the Deaf, Maine