Images of the Day: Duty Free Americas golf event raises US$500,000 for Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital

Our regular feature, brought to you in association with Duty Free Global from Ireland, celebrates memorable scenes, moments, launches and campaigns related to the global aviation and travel retail sphere.

USA. Our latest selection of images comes courtesy of Duty Free Americas (DFA), which hosted its tenth annual Charity Golf Tournament on 6 February. The company raised US$500,000 in support of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital (JDCH), a leader in paediatric care in Hollywood, Florida, where DFA’s headquarters is located.

The sold-out event took place at Trump National Doral Golf Club in Miami, attracting a record-breaking 400 friends, colleagues and suppliers from the travel retail industry.

The tournament featured an 18-hole scramble competition, alongside a tennis tournament and a spa day. The event culminated in an evening reception with cocktails, dinner, a silent auction and a raffle, all contributing to the strong fundraising total.

Jerome Falic, CEO of DFA and Principal of the Falic Family Foundation, said: “It is truly inspiring to witness the global travel retail community come together year after year in support of such an important cause. This tenth annual milestone event underscores our shared commitment to making a meaningful impact to communities worldwide.

“The funds raised will directly contribute to expanding life-saving paediatric care at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, ensuring children receive the highest standard of treatment. My family, the Falic Family Foundation, and the entire travel retail community are honoured to contribute to the effort in helping to raise a total of US$1 million, including matching funds, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting young patients and their families.”

Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital has 216 beds and over 375,000 patient encounters annually. It is the only Level I paediatric trauma centre in South Broward County and is home to one of Florida’s two paediatric heart transplant programmes, as well as Broward County’s only paediatric kidney transplant programme.

Additionally, JDCH’s orthopaedic programme ranks number one in Florida and among the top 50 nationwide. With more than 160,000 outpatient visits annually, the hospital has also provided over 25,000 families with free accommodation at Conine Clubhouse, while children are being treated at JDCH. In 2024, JDCH achieved Magnet recognition for nursing excellence, enhancing its reputation as a leading hospital in paediatric healthcare.

Duty Free Americas thanked participants, sponsors and contributors for their generosity and support. The Falic family also acknowledged DFA Vice President of Spirits & Wine Jonathan Bonchick for organising the annual DFA Golf event, which has become a fixture in the travel retail industry’s efforts to support charitable causes each year.