GREENSBORO, N.C. – As part of its 75th anniversary celebration, the Wyndham Championship, in conjunction with its official charity, Wishes by Wyndham, has launched a new charitable initiative called “Birdies Fore Backpacks,” the tournament announced today. The 75th anniversary Wyndham Championship is set for Aug. 11-17, 2014 at Sedgefield Country Club.
As part of the “Birdies Fore Backpacks” program, individuals and corporations can make one-time donations or pledges of a certain amount for every birdie made by PGA TOUR professionals during official tournament play at this summer’s 75th annual Wyndham Championship. Funds from the program will support 501(c)3 non-profit, charitable organizations throughout the Piedmont Triad that provide backpacks of food for children in need.
On average, PGA TOUR professionals make approximately 1,600 birdies during the Wyndham each year. If that number holds true in 2014, a person who pledges one dime per birdie would donate $160 to “Birdies Fore Backpacks.” Individuals will be encouraged to pledge between one and 10 cents per birdie. Corporations will be encouraged to pledge at least 50 cents or $1 for each birdie for total donations of $800 or $1,600, respectively.
Wishes by Wyndham has already made a $50,000 kick-off donation to “Birdies Fore Backpacks,” toward the overall 2014 goal of $150,000.
“Part of the core values that drive our company is a commitment to the communities in which we live and work,” says Alyson Johnson, senior vice president of Marketing and Communications, Wyndham Worldwide. “We have been proud to be a part of this community during the past eight years of this tournament, and are humbled to have an opportunity to further support children and families in this region.”
With today’s “Birdies Fore Backpacks” launch, fans can visit wyndhamchampionship.com/charities/birdies-fore-backpacks. Simply click on “Make a Donation” at the bottom of the page and follow the instructions. One-time donations can be made immediately, but for those who wish to donate a set amount per birdie made by PGA TOUR professionals during the Wyndham, the donation will be processed after the tournament.
Many children from low-income households receive the majority of their meals while in school during the week. The organizations receiving support from “Birdies Fore Backpacks” provide nutritionally-sound meals for the children to take home over the weekend. Donations totaling $10,000 feed 50 children for an entire school year.
The child food insecurity rate nationally is 16.4 percent; in North Carolina, that rate is 27.3 percent. North Carolina ranks second in the nation for food-insecure children under the age of five and 10th in the nation for children under 18. In addition, a recent Gallup survey indicated that the Piedmont Triad ranks fourth in the nation for the number of people who say they do not have enough money for food. Research shows that children who are not well nourished cannot concentrate effectively and do not function well in school.
“The number of children in North Carolina and the Piedmont Triad suffering from food insecurity is startling,” tournament director Mark Brazil said. “Without proper nutrition, these kids struggle to get the education and basic foundation they need to succeed later in life. We have a chance to help. By giving our sponsors, fans and volunteers an opportunity to participate in “Birdies Fore Backpacks,” Wishes by Wyndham and the Wyndham Championship are making a concerted effort to fight food insecurity in the Piedmont Triad.”
Celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2014 and 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 sixth-oldest event on the PGA TOUR excluding the Majors. Tickets are available at wyndhamchampionship.com or through the tournament office. The tournament thanks title sponsor Wyndham Worldwide, presenting sponsor BB&T and Premier Partners, Cadillac, Harris Teeter, McConnell Golf, New Breed Logistics, Sunbrella®, Technology Concepts & Design, Inc. and VF Corporation for their continued support. Additional tournament information, including ticket packages and sponsorship information, is available at wyndhamchampionship.com or through the tournament office at (336) 379-1570. For more information about Wyndham Worldwide, please visit www.wyndhamworldwide.com. Stay connected with the Wyndham Championship through its social media channels, including the Wyndham Championship Facebook page, Twitter, Instagram, Foursquare, Flickr and YouTube.
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