Every year, Nucor Corporation sponsors a Children’s Charity Classic Golf Tournament to benefit the Children’s of Alabama hospital located in Birmingham, Alabama. The event is kicked off with a banquet dinner where donated items from local businesses are auctioned off to increase fundraising. For the past 10 years, the team at the University of Alabama foundry has created steel sculptures for the auction. In 2023, I was asked to collaborate with the UA team to create a very special sculpture commemorating the addition of Wanda, MD (Medical Dog) to the healthcare team at the Children’s Hospital.
Wanda, MD (Medical Dog) is a 2 year old Golden Retriever that has been training her whole life with Canine Assistants, a nonprofit organization that specializes in training service dogs to provide support in various capacities. Thanks to Nucor, Wanda and her expert handlers help pediatric patients cope, heal, and achieve treatment goals at the hospital.
This sculpture was auctioned at the event and raised $30,000 for the Children’s of Alabama Hospital.