Page 22 - Abacoa Community News - July '20

Page 22, Abacoa
The Honda Classic To Distribute Record $5.35 Million To

Local Charities, Impacting The Lives Of 91,000 Children

Virtual Honda Classic Cares The Honda Classic Cares mission of giving back to Learning Center, Loggerhead Marinelife Center, TGR-

Week Celebrates 14th Straight the children of the community is reflected by more than Tiger Woods Foundation, Suits for Seniors and Urban
Youth Impact.
80 percent of all distributed funds being allocated to
Year Of Record Gains improving pediatric services. “The continued support we receive from the Palm
Along with the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Beach County community, our sponsors led by American
The Honda Classic is awarding a record-shattering Foundation grant, Bella’s Angels, Cystic Fibrosis Honda, the longest-standing sponsor on the PGA TOUR
$5.35 million to 103 South Florida philanthropic Foundation, Florida Outreach Center for the Blind, and the players who embrace our event and our volunteers
organizations in 2020, the 14th consecutive year that the Healthy Mothers & Healthy Babies Coalition of Palm continues to allow us to extend our charitable reach each
PGA TOUR event has been able to increase its impact on Beach County, Gold Coast Down Syndrome Organization, year,” Kennerly said. “This year’s virtual Honda Classic
the lives of local children and their families. Pediatric Oncology Support Team (P.O.S.T), and Cares Week gives us a platform to celebrate our grant
The Honda Classic has now surpassed $50 million in Quantum House are also receiving grants in that category. recipients and view the powerful impact that we are
charitable contributions as American Honda approaches Needs that evolved because of the pandemic were making on the lives of children in the local community.”
its 40th year as title sponsor of the PGA TOUR event, not a criteria for funds from The Honda Classic, but the The growth of the Honda Classic’s charitable
including almost $35 million in the 14 years since tournament was able to provide a separate gift of $62,500 donations is a testament to American Honda’s 39 years
Children’s Healthcare Charity, Inc. became the host to Palm Beach County Schools to help fund the purchase as the longest-standing title sponsor on the PGA TOUR
organization and moved the event to PGA National of laptops for children studying at home, in addition to the as well as partnerships with PGA National Resort &
Resort and Spa. The $5.35 million is up from the $5.1 $205,077 provided to The Glades Initiative in Belle Glade Spa, PGA of America, Palm Beach County, the City of
million distributed in 2019 and is impacting more than through a grant and the Birdies for Children program. Palm Beach Gardens and the PGA TOUR along with the
91,000 children and their families this year in Palm Beach Those funds are helping Glades Initiative manage its support from Founders Club sponsors Tire Kingdom and
County. growing needs which include weekly food distribution to United Technologies and more than 200 other community-
The money is being distributed during Honda Classic more than 200 families in the Belle Glade area impacted minded local sponsors.
Cares Week, June 22-26, which is being held virtually by the coronavirus pandemic. While the tournament strives to provide Palm Beach
for the first time due to the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to The Glades Initiative - which includes County with a premier professional sporting event, the
The tournament’s annual Celebration of Philanthropy, the Glades Area Food Bank, Nutritional Education and ultimate goal is to positively impact youth in need and
June 25 will also be held via WebEx with a virtual drawing Residential Navigational services – The Honda Classic create a brighter future for our community.
taking place among four finalists in the Birdies for continued to make a special effort in Western Palm Beach The growth of this year’s Honda Class Cares grant
Children program for a new 2020 Honda Insight Hybrid through additional grants to The Literacy Coalition, allocations was fueled by expanded sponsor and charity
vehicle. Fans donate each year for the chance to guess the Young Singers, Student Aces and Hope Symphony. participation at the 2020 tournament where 22-year-old
number of birdies in the tournament. Forty-seven entrants Honda Classic Cares will be aligning with educational South Korean golfer Sungjae Im won his first PGA TOUR
each correctly guessed the total of 1,172 birdies recorded initiatives throughout Palm Beach and Martin County event. Im is currently the top-ranked player in the PGA
at the 2020 Honda Classic. The field is being pared via through Adopt-A-Family, Artist Showcase, Boys and TOUR FedEx Cup standings.
drawing to four individuals who will participate in the Girls Clubs of Martin County, Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, The 2021 Honda Classic will be played March 18 to
virtual event to determine a winner. Education Foundation, Els for Autism, Hobe Sound Early 21, 2021 at PGA National Resort & Spa.
“We are very proud of what we have been able to
achieve with another record distribution to so many Who will best serve as your PBC Commissioner?
charities which benefit children in the Palm Beach
County area,” Honda Classic Executive Director Kenneth
R. Kennerly said. “But while we feel that it is fine to Experience counts, ideas matter, and independence means a public servant is not swayed by the biggest
celebrate this success, our hearts and prayers go out to pocketbook. That is the Karen Marcus record.
everybody suffering through these tough times and we As our County Commissioner, Karen Marcus diversified North County’s economy, created jobs, and pushed
don’t want to overshadow the tremendous need of those for fiscal responsibility. Flagship items would not have happened without Karen taking an active role. Scripps
people and their families.” Research Center, FAU’s Wiles Honors College, Max Planck Neuroscience Institute, The Brain Institute and
“We hope that this $5.35 million touches a great the triple A bond rating of Palm Beach County all were driven by the leadership of Karen.
number of them. We were fortunate that we were able And as our County Commissioner, Karen Marcus expanded North County’s greenspace. She led the
to hold our tournament two weeks before the world shut effort to expand beach access at Ocean Cay Park, Juno Dunes, Coral Cove and Blowing Rocks. The
down.” comprehensive initiative to build the Juno Beach Pier and additional free beach parking was spearheaded
The $5.35 million being awarded includes a grant by Karen. And she led the landmark county bond referendum to protect fragile Palm Beach County lands,
of $1.4 million to the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care resulting in 28,000 acres preserved in North County, including the Hatcher Property, Cypress Creek, and
Foundation, the fifth-consecutive year the foundation has the vital Loxahatchee River watershed.
received more than $1 million from Honda Classic Cares. Elect Karen Marcus to ensure North County’s future holds the best of what we cherish today.
“That’s fantastic,” Jack Nicklaus said. “Honda is the
longest-running sponsor on the PGA TOUR and has been Paid Advertisement
such a great sponsor. We are all indebted and appreciate
everything that The Honda Classic does year after year.”
“The Honda Classic moving to Palm Beach County
was the catalyst to us starting the Nicklaus Children’s
Health Care Foundation,” Barbara Nicklaus said. “We
are so proud to be involved. More than $1 million for
each of the last five years has impacted a lot of families
through the foundation and will continue to do so.”

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