PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla., Aug. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- The family of the late World Golf Hall of Fame member Bob Hope has made a donation in the amount of $200,000 to the PGA TOUR Charities, Inc. Birdies for the Brave program, designated for the Wounded Warrior Project.
"This contribution is a perfect fit honoring both the veterans that my dad so admired, and the game of golf which played such an important role in his life," said Linda Hope, Bob Hope's daughter. "We hope that our donation in my dad's name will help lighten the burdens of some of our returning heroes much as Dad was able to do during his lifetime."
"We're so appreciative to the Hope family for this generous donation," said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. "Not only will these funds positively impact the lives of the men and women who return home after courageously serving our country, but this gesture from The Bob and Dolores Hope Charitable Foundation also continues a legacy of goodwill between the Hope family, the military and the game of golf."
"We are extremely honored that the Hope family views Wounded Warrior Project as a deserving program and extension of Bob Hope's legacy of caring for those serving in our nation's Armed Forces," said Steve Nardizzi, Wounded Warrior Project executive director. "This humbling gift, combined with the PGA TOUR's ongoing efforts to raise awareness and funds to support Wounded Warrior Project, will measurably impact our ability to provide timely and valuable services to wounded warriors, their families and caregivers."
The idea for the donation originated at the 2008 World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Weekend last November, when Linda and her brother, Kelly, attended an exhibition opening of the Hall's newest featured exhibition, "Bob Hope: Shanks for the Memory." Within the exhibit, which focuses on many aspects of Hope's life, the Hopes viewed a section that pays tribute to the Wounded Warrior Project as the modern-day embodiment of Bob Hope's support of the troops.
Also during Induction weekend, Dan Nevins, a wounded soldier who credits his passion for golf as critical to his rehabilitation [and subsequently took a position with Wounded Warrior Project], spoke at the Hall of Fame's Night of Legends Tribute Dinner. Linda and Kelly were in attendance and were inspired by his speech.
"When our exhibit team dove into the project, we were astounded by the endless accounts of Bob Hope's philanthropic devotion, especially as it related to the men and women of the United States military," said Sr. Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of the Hall of Fame Jack Peter. "We wanted to be sure that aspect of his story was as emotional to our guests as it was to us. This donation really adds to the big picture of the Hope family's continued dedication to both golf and military."
About Birdies for the Brave
A PGA TOUR Charities, Inc. program, Birdies for the Brave is the PGA TOUR's primary vehicle for supporting the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. Since 2005, the TOUR has joined with PGA TOUR players, corporate partners, TPC club members, fans and TOUR employees to raise millions of dollars for military home front groups that provide vital services and programs for military men and women and their families
About Wounded Warrior Project
Wounded Warrior Project is a non-profit organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. WWP serves to raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women, to help severely injured service members aid and assist each other and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. For more information, please call 877-TEAM-WWP (832-6997) or visit .
About the PGA TOUR
The PGA TOUR is a tax-exempt membership organization of professional golfers. Its primary purpose is to expand the PGA TOUR domestically and internationally so as to substantially increase player financial benefits while maintaining our commitment to growth in charity and integrity to the game. In 2009, the three Tours will compete in 102 events for more than $350 million in prize money. Tournaments will be held in 10 countries outside the U.S. and in 35 states.
In addition to providing competitive opportunities for its membership, TOUR events also generate significant funds for local charities. In fact, the three Tours have surpassed the $1 billion mark in overall charitable contributions. The PGA TOUR's web site address is , and the company is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.
Wounded Warrior Project
2009-08-26
categoria News