GREENSBORO, N.C. – -Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN) one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, provided over $385,000 to children’s charities during the Wyndham Championship held last week at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, N.C. The final PGA TOUR event before the FedExCup playoffs, philanthropy has been a central focus of the Wyndham Championship for many years, with Wishes by Wyndham, the philanthropic foundation of Wyndham Worldwide, making donations through special events and spectator participation.
The week kicked off with a visit to the pediatric unit at The Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital, where Wyndham Worldwide leaders and associates, with PGA TOUR Professionals Roland Thatcher and Troy Matteson surprised the children and their families with a “vacation day” filled with a magic show, face painting, putting practice with the pros, story time, and a special lunch. The afternoon closed with the unveiling of two brand new Nintendo Wii Fun Centers donated on behalf of Wishes by Wyndham and Starlight Children’s Foundation.
Charities that included the Kevin Harvick Foundation and PGA TOUR Wives Association received donations at events throughout the week, with First Tee of the Triad, an organization that teaches children character development through the game of golf, being named as the first Charity of Choice winner. Spectators at the tournament voted throughout the week for the favorite charity through special computer kiosks in the Wyndham Worldwide Key to Wyn tent. After the tournament trophy presentation on the 18th green, First Tee was presented with a check of $100,000 from Wishes by Wyndham. First Tee in turn, then donated $5,000 to each of the four runners up organizations: United Way, Victory Junction, Greensboro Children’s Museum, and the Autism Society of North Carolina.
As part of the tournament’s innovative social media presence, Wishes by Wyndham also donated $50,000 to each of its three signature charities, Starlight Children’s Foundation, Christel House, and Association of Hole in the Wall Camps, as patrons “checked in” at the Wyndham Championship through Facebook and FourSquare.
“Philanthropy has been an important part of the Wyndham Championship, and what makes this event so very special,” says Stephen P. Holmes, chairman and CEO, Wyndham Worldwide. “We are so proud to support so many wonderful organizations through our tournament, and exploring new ways to spread their message to new supporters.”
The wish granting didn’t stop there, as Wyndham Worldwide and the Wyndham Championship also donated $100,000 to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina. The money donated will provide 700,000 meals to local residents in need.
“Part of the core values that drive our company is a commitment to the communities in which we live and work,” said Holmes. “We have been proud to be a part of this community during the past five years of this tournament, and felt this charity was especially important this year, as the economic downturn continues to impact so many local families in this region.”
About Wyndham Worldwide Corporation
As one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, Wyndham Worldwide offers individual consumers and business-to-business customers a broad suite of hospitality services and products across various accommodation alternatives and price ranges through its premier portfolio of world-renowned brands. Wyndham Worldwide encompasses approximately 7,380 franchised hotels and vacation ownership resorts with approximately 633,700 rooms worldwide. Wyndham Exchange & Rentals offers leisure travelers, including its 3.8 million members, access to approximately 97,000 vacation properties located in approximately 100 countries. Wyndham Vacation Ownership develops, markets and sells vacation ownership interests and provides consumer financing to owners through its network of vacation ownership resorts serving nearly 815,000 owners throughout North America, the Caribbean and the South Pacific. Wyndham Worldwide, headquartered in Parsippany, N.J., employs approximately 26,000 employees globally. For more information about Wyndham Worldwide, please visit the Company’s website at www.wyndhamworldwide.com.
About the Wyndham Championship
Contested annually on the Donald Ross-designed course at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, N.C., the Wyndham Championship was founded in 1938 and is the seventh oldest event on the PGA TOUR. Additional tournament information is available at wyndhamchampionship.com or through the tournament office at (336) 379-1570.
