MEMPHIS, Tennessee (WMC) – The best golfers in the world are in Memphis this week for the FedEx St. Jude Championship Tournament.

The heat in Memphis can be unbearable if you don’t stay hydrated. Volunteers on the Player Water Committee are specifically responsible for making sure golfers, their caddies and their teams stay hydrated.

Comprised primarily of U.S. military veterans and active duty military personnel, the team keeps your favorite golfers ready to play by donating their time to the children of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

This year, over 1,500 volunteers are already preparing for one of golf’s biggest weeks. Each year, about 40 of these volunteers, like David Thomas, donate their time to the Player Water Committee.

“You’re more than just a water carrier,” said volunteer David Thomas. “I mean, this is a very important job out here.”

US Army veteran Hillman McAllister is vice chairman of the committee.

He has been volunteering for the tournament for 14 years.

“We’re probably talking about 500 bags of ice and 300 cases of water and 100 cases of Gatorade,” said Hillman McAllister, vice chair of the Player Water Committee. “I love golf. I just love being out here and doing things, and I know it has one purpose. And that’s St. Jude.”

US Navy veteran John Perales has been volunteering for the tournament for 29 years.

He leads the team and helps find volunteers each year through his work at the U.S. Navy Recruiting Command in Millington.

“When they come out, they love it,” said volunteer John Perales. “It’s like a Marine guard, if these people are familiar with Marine guards. So they come from 6:30 in the morning until noon. The people who leave get something to eat. And we’re out in the square.”

This year, several new members join the committee who dedicate their time to the children of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“Just the wonderful families of St. Jude that I’ve gotten to know and the patients that I’ve gotten to know,” Thomas said. “Once you meet one of them, you do it for the rest — like John said, we’ll do this until we can’t walk anymore.”

Volunteers donate more than just their time. They also raise money for St. Jude through the Hours for St. Jude program. If you would like to donate to the fundraisers of the volunteers featured in this story or to donate to the hospital, click here.

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