To thank Rheem for its long-time support, the First Tee of Fort Smith hosted Rheem Day in June—a special event where employees and family members could play at the First Tee’s golf course for free and receive coaching from PGA Professional Mark Curlett, who’s also the University of Arkansas, Fort Smith, golf coach. Billy Gibson—a Rheem employee and an active parent involved in the First Tee of Fort Smith—attended the event and had this to say about the organization:
"The First Tee program in Fort Smith is just outstanding. It teaches children a lifelong sport and it also helps give them valuable life skills. We’re lucky in Fort Smith because our chapter has been recognized as one of the First Tee’s most active chapters in the country. As both a Rheem employee and a parent involved in the group, I think it’s great to see the company support of this fantastic charity."
“Rheem does a great job supporting the First Tee of Fort Smith, and I really appreciate the company’s participation. My son joined the First Tee of Fort Smith in 2005 when he was six years old. He had his first hole-in-one a year later. He just got up to the organization’s Ace level now at the age of 14, and he made his high school’s golf team as a ninth grader!"