RBC Canadian Open sets five-year, $5-million fundraising
goal for children's health and wellness
TORONTO, July 23, 2008 — RBC and the Royal Canadian
Golf Association (RCGA) today announced that the RBC Canadian
Open is committed to a goal of raising $5 million over the
next five years to fund programs and initiatives that improve
children's health and wellness across Canada.
The total $5-million fundraising goal will be pursued through
a variety of activities led by the RCGA, RBC, and other tournament
sponsors, as well as community initiatives, such as those
led by host city organizing committees, and tournament proceeds.
"The RBC Canadian Open is committed to contributing
to local and national charities that make a difference in
our communities," said Scott Simmons, RCGA executive
director and CEO. "As the title sponsor RBC has again
demonstrated its leadership and shown how corporate citizenship
can make a meaningful difference to people's lives."
As part of the announcement today, the RBC Foundation announced
it intends to provide a $250,000 grant to the Mike Weir Foundation
in connection with the RBC Children's Mental Health Project.
"We know that as many as 1 in 5 Canadian children and
adolescents— more than 1.2 million people— will
suffer from mental health issues before their eighteenth birthday,"
said Gordon M. Nixon, RBC president and CEO. "Through
the RBC Children's Mental Health Project, RBC is proud to
support the worthy efforts of organizations like the Mike
Weir Foundation as they help these kids and their families
improve their quality of life."
"A commitment to the community is an important part
of the legacy of the RBC Canadian Open, and this fundraising
initiative is another example of the leadership and support
demonstrated by RBC," said Mike Weir. "Assisting
children's health programs is the main priority for the Mike
Weir Foundation, and I'm grateful to RBC and the RCGA for
sharing that vision and for including the Mike Weir Foundation
in their efforts."
The RBC Children's Mental Health Project focuses on community
based Canadian mental health programs and services that support
children up to the age of
18 and their families and have a proven record of success,
preferably supported by an evidenced based model. More information
is available at www.rbc.com/community/donations/childrens-mental-health.
RBC AND THE RBC CANADIAN OPEN
In partnership with the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA),
RBC is the title sponsor of the RBC Canadian Open, the third
oldest national golf championship worldwide, next only to
the British Open and the U.S. Open. With a history of great
players and premier fields, the RBC Canadian Open provides
golf fans with the opportunity to experience the excitement
of a world class event on Canadian soil.
RBC also sponsors all levels of amateur sport, from grassroots
programs in local communities to national sport organization
and elite-level athletes.
ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN GOLF ASSOCIATION
The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is the governing
body of golf in Canada, representing 377,000 members at 1,600
clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the
National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf in this country,
the RCGA's mission is to grow participation in and passion
for the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions
of the game. The RCGA conducts programs and services to help
shape the future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete
development, CN Future Links, Canada's national junior golf
program, turfgrass and environmental research, the Canadian
Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Rules of Golf and amateur status,
handicapping and course rating are only some of the initiatives
the association leads for golf in Canada. In addition, the
RCGA conducts Canada's most prestigious golf championships.
The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women's Open attract
the best professional golfers in the world, while regional
junior and national amateur championships showcase the best
in Canadian golf.
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For further information, please contact:
Jackie Braden, RBC, Media Relations, (416) 974-2124, jackie.braden@rbc.com
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