October 14, 2009Champions for Education Announces 2009 Charitable Contributions
Tournament's Impact on Charlotte Charities is Awareness and Over $11 million
Charlotte, NC - Champions for Education, the non-profit host organization that manages and operates the Wells Fargo Championship, announced today over $1.6 million in donations to area organizations.
As a result of the 2009 Wells Fargo Championship, $800,000 was given to Teach For America in Charlotte, $150,000 was donated to Levine Children's Hospital and $100,000 was distributed to The First Tee of Charlotte. A total of $1.6 million was distributed in the local market. In the past seven years, Champions for Education has contributed upwards of $11 million and assisted in providing awareness for various organizations.
"Since the tournament's beginning and going forward, our priority is to give back to the community and make a positive impact on the lives of people in Charlotte and around the region," Kym Hougham, Executive Director of the Wells Fargo Championship, said. "Thanks to the tireless effort by our volunteers, support from our corporate partners, the members of the Quail Hollow Club, and loyalty from thousands of patrons, we are grateful we could do so again during these difficult times.
"We have a lot of unselfish people who donate their energy and enthusiasm each year to help us conduct this championship and make it an event Charlotte can be proud of."
Teach For America has been the tournament's primary charitable beneficiary since 2003. During that time, the organization has received more than $7 million from tournament proceeds to support its national efforts to expand educational opportunity.
"We're so thankful for the long-standing support of Champions for Education as we channel the talent and commitment of our nation's future leaders in the movement to end educational inequity," said Tim Hurley, executive director of Teach For America in Charlotte. "Their support ensures that we can continue our work to dramatically improve achievement levels and life prospects for students in our most economically disadvantaged communities."
This year, the Wells Fargo Championship also hosted Walk the Course Against Domestic Violence on Tuesday evening of tournament week. Over 850 people walked the Quail Hollow Club golf course and raised not only awareness but over $100,000 for two local Domestic Violence organizations. The event was organized by the Avon Foundation, the PGA TOUR Wives Association and the Wells Fargo Championship.
The eighth annual Wells Fargo Championship will be conducted April 26 –May 2, 2010.
About the Wells Fargo Championship
The Wells Fargo Championship is one of the largest, most prestigious sporting events in the Charlotte region. Champions for Education, a non-profit organization, operates and manages the tournament and has donated over $11 million to local and regional charities since 2003. Now leading up to its eighth edition, the tournament is intended as an annual tradition that will bring players and patrons back each year for an unforgettable golf experience. The 2010 tournament will be held April 26-May 2. The national and international golf community has recognized it as one of the top events on the PGA TOUR. A combination of Quail Hollow Club and the spirit of the Charlotte area community are among the reasons the Wells Fargo Championship has and should continue to draw many of the world's top golfers to Charlotte.
About Teach For America - Charlotte
Teach For America is the national corps of outstanding college graduates who commit to teach for two years in urban and rural public schools and become lifelong leaders in expanding educational opportunity. This year, 7,300 corps members are teaching in 35 regions across the country while 17,000 Teach For America alumni continue working inside and outside the field of education for the fundamental changes necessary to ensure educational excellence and equity. Since 2004, more than 350 Teach For America corps members have taught in underserved schools in Charlotte, reaching nearly 50,000 students. Corps members have received the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Outstanding First-Year Teacher Award for five consecutive years, and in 2009, two of the three award recipients were corps members. North Carolina is also home to nearly 300 Teach For America alumni, many of whom are local education leaders. Through the efforts of these corps members, alumni, and supporters, Teach For America is impacting thousands of kids and their families, schools, and communities across the state. For more information, visit www.teachforamerica.org.
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