Angels on Earth

BUENA PARK, CA (June 18, 2004) — Nearly 200 people came out to Boomers in Fountain Valley, CA in early June to participate in the annual miniature golf tournament and silent auction hosted by Alissa's Angels and sponsored by Yamaha Corporation of America. The event raised more than $10,000, all of which was donated to the Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC).

While this was the third year the tournament was held, it marked the first year with a corporate sponsor. Yamaha Cares, an employee-based, charitable giving initiative of Yamaha Corporation of America, donated equipment – including a PA loudspeaker system, keyboard and stereo system – and several items for "goody bags" that were given to participants. Several Yamaha employees also helped to raise money by playing in the tournament.

It was October 1999 when Drew and Lisa Head learned that their six-year-old daughter, Alissa, had been diagnosed with cancer in her spinal cord. After four years, 13 operations, six months of chemotherapy and two months of radiation, Alissa is doing well and racing around in her purple wheelchair.

"Thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff at CHOC's Neuroscience Institute, Alissa is in a wheelchair today and able to attend school with her friends," says Drew Head, Alissa's father. "Kids with cancer of the nervous system have less than a 10 percent chance of surviving. She is lucky to be in the 'less than 10 percent' category with a new and different life to date."

While forming a team to participate in the hospital's annual "CHOC Walk" in 2000, a group of Alissa's girlfriends created the name 'Alissa's Angels' for their fundraising efforts.

"Seeing the hard work and determination of Alissa and her family and friends is truly inspirational," says Carol Baker, vice president of human resources, Yamaha Corporation of America. "Our involvement with Alissa's Angels is what Yamaha Cares is all about – making a difference and working with those in our community. It has been our privilege to work with the Head family raising money for such an important cause."

For more information on Yamaha Cares, write Yamaha Corporation of America, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; e-mail infostation@yamaha.com.