The 2009 PGA Championship Community Relations Program
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
THE 2009 PGA CHAMPIONSHIP COMMUNITY RELatIONS PROgraM AUGUST 10 - 16, 2009 HAZELTINE NatIONAL GOLF CLUB CHASKA, MINNESOta Returning to Hazeltine National Golf Club for the 2009 PGA Championship gives The PGA of America an opportunity to reconnect with many of the outstanding charitable organizations that participated in the 2002 PGA Championship Community Relations Program. We are excited to note that these charities, in spite of the economic downturn affecting donations and reduction in volunteers, continue to play a vital role in enhancing the lives of deserving youth and families. The challenges that not-for-profit charitable organizations face are increasingly becoming more difficult. These organizations are driven to raise the low high school graduation rates within the Minneapolis Public Schools (one of the lowest of the nation’s top 50 cities), service families living at and below poverty, and reduce hunger that continues to affect so many families. If not sufficiently addressed, we will continue to see negative impacts on the economic structure within our communities in the areas of unemployment among young adults, increased cost of health care, and increased incarcerations. In many cases the charity has become the primary hope for many youths and families. The bright side is that these charities are great stewards and are making a difference in the lives of many young people and families. We would like to share some of the many wonderful personal testimonies from individuals describing how these organizations have changed their lives. We are proud of these organizations and hope that the 2009 PGA Championship and PGA Foundation will help bring greater awareness and stimulate donors to give so that these charities can continue to be great stewards in supporting their mission. The Impact A total of 123 Minneapolis-St. Paul and Chaska charities participated in the 2009 PGA Championship Community Relations Program, receiving an estimated value of $500,000. We are proud that the PGA Championship could bring additional awareness on the outstanding work of these organizations as well as real value to support their programs. The Community Relations activities that were available for the charities included: • 84 charities participated in the Tickets for Charities Auctions Program • Six (6) charities raised funds through the Inside the Ropes Program • Six (6) charities participated in Levy Cares Concessions for Charities • 26 charities received some 3,500 tickets to attend the PGA Championship • One (1) food shelf will receive all non-perishable foods and products • Some 250 youths were part of the Championship Youth Golf Clinic We should also note that some 1,000 local citizens were temporarily employed to provide services in the areas of food and beverage, security, Championship general construction and maintenance, and cleaning services. To review the complete 2009 PGA Championship Community Relations program visit: www.pga.com/diversity 91ST PGA CHAMPIONSHIP Hazeltine National Golf Club 2 www.pga.com/diversity American Lung Association Since 1903, the mission of the American Lung Association in Minnesota has been to save lives, improve lung health and prevent lung disease. Their program focus includes: Youth and Adult Tobacco Prevention, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Lung Cancer, Asthma and Allergies, Environmental Issues and Public Policy initiatives. Additionally, toll-free services grant more than seven million Minnesota residents convenient and unlimited access to our registered nurses, respiratory therapists and tobacco cessation specialists. Contact: Penny Gottier Fena 490 Concordia Ave. | St. Paul, MN 55103 651-223-9573 | [email protected] Fairway Foundation The Fairway Foundation was recognized to offer golf to urban youth. They support youth in the Twin Cities with structured programs focused on education and recreation balance, cultural enrichment and life skills by instilling the values inherent in the game of golf - honesty, self-reliance, sportsmanship and integrity. We strive to “Keep Kids on Course” by providing experiences that enable our participants to make responsible decisions to become productive, strong community leaders for the future. Contact: Erick Goodlow 986 Forest Street | St. Paul, MN 55106 612-870-1213 | [email protected] Fellowship of Christian Athletes The Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ purpose is to influence the lives of coaches and athletes through the development of character and personal spiritual renewal. FCA is currently working in some 200 high schools and colleges throughout Minnesota. In 2008, more than 42,000 students attended FCA camps, nationally. Contact: Steve Arnold 1675 Woodcrest Ave. | Owatonna, MN 55060 507-269-1092 | [email protected] www.pga.com/diversity 3 Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities “How We Connected” Greg Brucker was looking for a meaningful way know many kids and had a hard time opening to connect with young people and decided to meet up to them because he was so quiet. Now, with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater he is part of a group,” says Greg. Twin Cities. In 2007, he became a Big Brother. Besides noticing an increased confidence among When meeting with his Match Support Coordinator, both adults and his peers, Greg has witnessed Carole, she told him about young Jamal, a very Jamal’s innate sense of determination really reserved 11-year-old who loved sports. Greg agreed come to life. His focus and practice in basketball to be Jamal’s Big earned him the Most Brother, trusting Improved Player trophy Carole’s insights into in March. That internal the match process. drive has spilled off the Jamal kept court as well. Jamal is extremely quiet excelling in school, often when the pair got bringing his A papers together in those along on activities to show first few months, but his Big Brother. That’s a that would change. definite change, according Early in 2008, Greg to Greg. “Last year Jamal invited Jamal to didn’t want to talk about watch the Super school at all. In fact, he Bowl at his place, couldn’t wait for the year and during the game, to end.” Previously, Jamal Jamal suddenly hadn’t even considered opened up. “By post-secondary education the end of the as an option, but now he night, it was like sees college as part of his he was a different kid. He was so excited future reality. Greg calls his match with Jamal one and talked up a storm,” Greg recalls. of the most rewarding and intense experiences of his life. He is continuously grateful for the It was that passion for sports that gave the two time they spend together. “Jamal is one of the an opportunity to really connect. Greg went neatest kids I have ever known,” Greg says. on to coordinate Jamal’s registration for football, “Some day he will tell his own amazing story basketball and baseball leagues. He helped coach of what he has accomplished in his life, and Jamal’s baseball team and he helped the other that will be a dream come true.” coaches organize rides, deal with behavior issues, recruit players, provide treats and raise money For more information on Big Brothers Big Sisters, for equipment. please visit: www.bbbs.org During Jamal’s first year playing sports, teammates became friends. “In the beginning, Jamal didn’t Contact: Nadia Siddiqui 2550 University Ave. W. | St. Paul, MN 55114 651-789-2431 | [email protected] 4 www.pga.com/diversity Hospitality House Youth Directions Hospitality House Youth Directions, a faith-based youth development organization, exists to provide a Christian outreach focused on the spiritual, intellectual, and physical development of urban youth. Serving annually more than 3,000 school age children and youth, ages 5-18, that live in several Minneapolis neighborhoods. These Hospitality House Youth Directions neighborhoods include pervasive poverty, high unemployment, multiple low-income housing units, single parent households, diverse ethnic backgrounds, high violent crime rates and lack of education. Contact: John Hunter 1220 Logan Ave. N | P.O. Box 11008 | Minneapolis, MN 55411 Hospitality House 612-522-4485 | [email protected] Youth Directions Hospitality House Youth Directions Kathy Swanson Golf Summer Long Mentoring Program The main focus for this program is mentoring young girls through the game of golf. The girls are also required to do Community Service projects because learning to give back to local charities offers a very valuable life lesson. This is only the second year of this program and it has been a smash hit! This summer the girls will participate in volunteering at the Anoka County Food Shelf. Contact: Kathy Swanson 1465 32nd Ave. SW | Cambridge, MN 55008 612-865-1799 | [email protected] The Link The Link provides holistic, strength-based interventions for young folks. Through case management, advocacy, social-emotional skill-building, after-school groups, school- based interventions, and supportive housing, The Link empowers youth to create success in school and in life. Special programs address the needs of youth who are truant, homeless, or beginning to get involved with gangs or the juvenile justice system. Contact: Deborah Renshaw 1210 Glenwood Ave. | Minneapolis, MN 55405 612-871-0748 | [email protected] www.pga.com/diversity 5 District 112 Foundation of Eastern Carver County Schools “Foundation Grants Help Move Music Program into 21st Century” The District 112 Foundation enabled the middle school teachers to purchase music technology that attracts students from a broad range of interests. “We bought computers, keyboards and sound equipment to support an expanded program. Thanks to the Foundation’s belief in our vision, our students can now create their own recordings, podcasts and Web sites. Students can creatively collaborate at a level unknown just a couple of years ago,” according to Mr. Songer. Interest in music at Chaska Middle School West spawned new courses and activities. Music Technology, an after-school class last year, will now be offered as an elective during the regular school day.