(STOCKBRIDGE, GA., November 7, 2005) – Atlanta’s long-time LPGA Tour event, formerly known as the Chick-fil-A Charity Championship hosted by Nancy Lopez, has donated a total of $903,946 from 2005 tournament proceeds to charities. This year’s figure has enabled the tournament to exceed the $6.5 million mark in cumulative contributions during Chick-fil-A Corporation’s tenure as the event’s title sponsor which dates back to 1995.
Beneficiaries of the proceeds include the events’ primary charities, WinShape Homes® program ($698,529), Adventures In Movement (AIM) for the Handicapped ($75,000), the East Lake Community Foundation ($110,000), the Georgia State Golf Association-Yates Foundation ($5,000) and the Live Oaks Shelter ($15,417).
WinShape Homes, the program created by Chick-fil-A founder and CEO Truett Cathy, is a long-term foster care program that has grown to become one of the largest foster care programs in Georgia and the Southeast with 14 homes. Nine facilities are located in Georgia, three in Tennessee, one in Alabama and one in Brazil.
AIM for the Handicapped is the favorite charity of LPGA Tour Hall of Famer, Nancy Lopez, who has served as the official host of the Chick-fil-A Charity Championship since 1999. AIM is a Dayton, Ohio-based non-profit organization that utilizes music and movement exercises to further the development of handicapped individuals, primarily children. The East Lake Community Foundation was established in 1995 to lead the revitalization of the East Lake neighborhood which surrounds the legendary East Lake Golf Club. The club hosts a Pro-Am during the Atlanta LPGA event week and the annual TOUR Championship. The Yates Scholarship Program provides college grants to employees and children of employees at Georgia State Golf Association Member Clubs.
"This is only possible because of the generous support we receive from our many supporting sponsors and the dedicated and tireless efforts of the more than 1,500 tournament volunteers who contribute their time and talents," said Torrey Gane, the tournament’s Executive Director.
Major corporate sponsors of the tournament include companies such as Pilgrim’s Pride, Heinz North America, BB&T, Gold Kist, Publix, Dr. Pepper, Atlanta Area Ford Dealers, Georgia Pacific Corporation and the Coca-Cola Company. The 2005 event, held at Eagle’s Landing Country Club in Stockbridge, GA, was won by Annika Sorenstam by ten strokes.
Contact:
John Marshall
Marshall & Associates
(770) 436-2643
