Viktor
Well-known member
- Mar 19, 2019
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McDaniel is no stranger to the golf course – or to charitable efforts – but this fall marked the first tournament he personally hosted. He was joined by 11 fellow Vikings Legends, from fellow Hall of Famer Paul Krause to Steve Jordan and Henry Thomas, former teammates who traveled from out of state for the occasion.
When all was said and done, the tournament raised $73,000 for Open Arms, which was founded in 2006 by Bob and Sallie Solis.
After traveling to South Africa on a family mission trip in 2005, the Solis family felt compelled to do something for children in the country who have been orphaned by AIDS.
Bob and Sallie took their life savings, bought a 70-acre hilltop farm, began raising money to buy furnishings and an old car and sought a license to take in orphaned children. On March 16, 2006, a 2-year-old boy named Sifundo was the first child to come to Open Arms.
Almost 14 years later, the home now cares for 58 young people, all of whom are also provided (if old enough) tuition and uniforms for school. Five children are also enrolled in post-secondary education.
The connection between the McDaniel and Solis families is a deep one. In fact, it dates back to a friendship between Randall’s and Sallie’s parents, who worked citrus fields together and lived in camps that did not have water or electricity.
“From that bond back in the day, Sallie and I have always been friends,” said Randall, who explained that although their lives took them down different paths, they and their spouses reconnected in 2009 when Randall was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
At the time, Bob had just completed a 700-mile walk across South Africa to raise $250,000.
“He just says, ‘Someone had to do something,’ ” Randall said. “Bob is a warrior. I don’t know how he does it.”
So when the McDaniels were approached about hosting a golf tournament to help support Open Arms, they jumped at the chance to help.