For Immediate Release-
Contact:
Mary Anne Christensen
Beaches Habitat for Humanity
Development Director
(904) 241-1222
Maryanne@beacheshabitat.org
www.beacheshabitat.org
Beaches Habitat kicks off fundraising efforts through THE PLAYERS Championship Birdies for Charity
APRIL 2, 2010
(Atlantic Beach, Fla.) – Beaches Habitat for Humanity will be partnering with THE PLAYERS for their annual Birdies for Charity campaign for the 3rd year in a row. Funds raised from our participation in THE PLAYERS Championship Birdies for Charity program will help us to fulfill our mission of eliminating substandard housing in the Jacksonville Beaches. Prior to tournament week, fans are invited to guess the number of birdies that will be made during THE PLAYERS and select the charity they would like to pledge to benefit. Beaches Habitat hopes to encourage its supporters to pledge enough through THE PLAYERS Birdies for Charity program to raise needed dollars to fund affordable housing.
Birdies for Charity annually leads up to THE PLAYERS and allows the community to support local charities through tracking the exciting, high-level of play during the tournament, which takes place May 3-9.
In many ways the Birdies for Charity program is similar to a walk-a-thon, where participants make a pledge for each birdie made by professional golfers during THE PLAYERS. In 2009, 1,502 birdies were made during the four-day event. Over $216,000 was raised last year through Birdies for Charity, part of the record $4.15 million generated by THE PLAYERS.
In addition to supporting our efforts, the lucky person who guesses exactly how many birdies are made during the tournament’s competitive rounds will win an all-expense paid trip to The Barclays, the kickoff event of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup, just outside New York City in Paramus, New Jersey in August. The package includes roundtrip airfare for two with four nights of accommodations and VIP tickets for the tournament (more details forthcoming).
“It’s been exciting for all those involved with THE PLAYERS to watch how the Birdies for Charity program has grown over the years,” said THE PLAYERS Executive Director Jay Monahan. “Birdies for Charity allows the community to take an active role in raising money for organizations that are near and dear to their hearts and is a key component of our overall impact on Northeast Florida charities.”
“Beaches Habitat is excited to participate in Birdies for Charity again this year and has planned a host of activities to generate enthusiasm and pledges from supporters,” said Beaches Habitat Executive Director Ralph Marcello.
Beaches Habitat’s first event to generate enthusiasm will be a Pledge-2-Putt event at Atlantic Beach’s Art Walk on Thursday, April 15. Participants must make a pledge to Beaches Habitat through Birdies for Charity and will then be eligible to putt our construction-themed, obstacle-filled putting greens to win some great prizes from local restaurants and attractions. Contact Mary Anne Christensen at (904)241-1222 for more information.
About Beaches Habitat:
Beaches Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry dedicated to eliminating substandard housing in the Jacksonville Beaches. As an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, we work in partnership with local families and volunteers to build and rehabilitate simple, decent homes for qualified families in need. Recognizing the importance of education in breaking the cycle of poverty, we also offer college scholarships, after-school tutoring and rewards for academic excellence for our partner families.
About THE PLAYERS and charity:
THE PLAYERS Championship annually combines the best field in golf with the world-class venue that is THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. UBS, PricewaterhouseCoopers and JELD-WEN are the exclusive Proud Partners of THE PLAYERS. Proceeds from THE PLAYERS benefit Northeast Florida charities. Since 1977, when THE PLAYERS Championship moved to Ponte Vedra, more than $35 million has been contributed to Northeast Florida charities, including a record $4.15 million donation in 2009.
For more information, please contact Beaches Habitat Development Director Mary Anne Christensen, 904-241-1222 or THE PLAYERS contact: Laura Brown, 904-273-3570 laurabrown@pgatourhq.com
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