Canada's National Open Championship continues to work towards goal of raising $5 million in charitable proceeds over the first five years of RBC's involvement as title sponsor
HAMILTON (GOLF CANADA), May 9, 2012 /CNW/ - To acknowledge National Mental Health Awareness Week, and as part of the philanthropic strategy for the RBC Canadian Open, Golf Canada and RBC today announced that the Community Child Abuse Council (CCAC) has been selected as the local community charity beneficiary for the 2012 edition of Canada's National Open Championship, set for July 23-29 at Hamilton Golf and Country Club.
A committee consisting of RBC Canadian Open tournament officials and the RBC Foundation identified potential local charity candidates in the Hamilton area before ultimately selecting the Community Child Abuse Council as this year's local beneficiary.
As the local charity partner of the RBC Canadian Open, the Community Child Abuse Council received a $250,000 donation from RBC Foundation to celebrate National Mental Health Awareness Week and create a lasting legacy for children and youth in Hamilton. To build upon this donation, the Community Child Abuse Council is embarking on a fundraising and awareness campaign to raise additional funds between now and the RBC Canadian Open. The campaign will feature fundraising activities both in advance and during tournament week including the sale of RBC Canadian Open ticket packages. Anyone interested in supporting can go to www.childabusecouncil.on.ca.
To support this campaign, RBC will launch an in-branch program selling RBC Canadian Open hats at all branches in Hamilton starting June 1 and leading up to the 2012 RBC Canadian Open with all proceeds from hat sales benefitting the Community Child Abuse Council.
"RBC has always believed in giving back to important charitable causes in our local communities and we have a long-standing commitment to children's mental health," said Laura Gainey, RBC's Regional President, for Ontario South West. "We are proud that the charitable proceeds from this year's tournament will benefit the Community Child Abuse Council. This is an amazing organization that does incredible work for children and youth in Hamilton. With the support of Golf Canada, RBC and the Hamilton community, we are creating a lasting legacy that will benefit this community for many years to come."
"Along with our partners at RBC, we believe it is critical that the RBC Canadian Open leave a lasting legacy in our local host communities," said Scott Simmons, Executive Director and CEO, Golf Canada. "The Community Child Abuse Council has a significant impact on the children, their families and the local community and we are thrilled to have them as our local charity partner for 2012."
The Community Child Abuse Council's goal is to reduce the incidence and impact of child abuse and to promote the safe and healthy development of children. The CCAC services the 110,000 children (ages 0-17) living in the City of Hamilton and is an established partner in the integrated local system of children's mental health services in the Greater Hamilton area.
"The Community Child Abuse Council is very grateful for this generous investment in the mental health of children in our community, and particularly those who need specialized services to help them heal after the trauma of abuse," said Karen Smith, Executive Director for the Community Child Abuse Council. "We have a vision at the Council that sees children as young as three getting needed trauma treatment without waiting several months; that sees more prevention and education programs; and that sees a community free of child abuse. We are grateful for RBC and Golf Canada's support, and honoured to partner with the 2012 RBC Canadian Open to help make that vision a reality."
The philanthropic platform of Canada's National Open Championship is based on a joint commitment between Golf Canada and RBC to generate $5 million for charity over the first five years of RBC's sponsorship. Each year, the tournament selects a local charity partner to ensure that the event creates a lasting legacy in each year's host community. Since 2008, the first year of RBC's involvement, more than $4 million in charitable proceeds have been raised.
In addition to the community charity partner, 2012 marks the fifth year for the Mike Weir Foundation as the national charity partner for the RBC Canadian Open. Charitable dollars for the Mike Weir Foundation are raised through various activities being conducted leading up to and throughout RBC Canadian Open tournament week.
Children aged 17 and under earn free admission when accompanied by a ticketed adult. For more information on tickets, corporate hospitality, and sponsorship information please visit www.rbccanadianopen.com or call 1-800-571-6736.
ABOUT COMMUNITY CHILD ABUSE COUNCIL
Since 1976, the Council has been providing child abuse education, prevention, and treatment programs across Greater Hamilton and surrounding areas. The Council offers a welcoming, safe, private space where child and youth victims of abuse and their families/caregivers (non-offending) receive comprehensive assessment and specialized treatment and support to help them heal from and move beyond the trauma of abuse. Services are uniquely tailored for child and youth victims of sexual abuse and their families, and include parent therapeutic group programs. Outreach and specialized intervention services also address the unique mental health needs of immigrant and refugee children, youth, and their families. Prevention and education initiatives include award winning school-based programs, professional training and education for the broader public, an internship program, and projects that promote child safety and build healthier communities. For more information, visit www.childabusecouncil.on.ca.
ABOUT THE 2012 RBC CANADIAN OPEN
Part of the FedEx Cup, stars of the PGA TOUR will compete for $5.2 million (US) at the RBC Canadian Open, July 23-29, 2012 at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ont. Established in 1904, the tournament is the third-oldest national open golf championship worldwide next to the British Open and the U.S. Open. The RBC Canadian Open is proudly sponsored by RBC, Bell, BMW Group Canada, C.F.F Stainless Steels, Molson Canadian 67, TaylorMade adidas Golf, The Glenlivet, The Globe and Mail, Reader's Digest and the City of Hamilton with funding provided by the Government of Ontario. For tournament information please visit www.rbccanadianopen.com or call 1-800-571-6736.
RBC GOLF
RBC proudly supports golf around the world through high profile relationships with the PGA TOUR, the PGA of America and Golf Canada. RBC is the Official Banking and Financial Services partner of touring professionals Luke Donald, Jim Furyk, Ernie Els, Matt Kuchar, Mike Weir, Stephen Ames, Fred Couples, and Morgan Pressel. As the Official Bank of the PGA of America and title sponsor of both the RBC Heritage and the RBC Canadian Open, RBC also supports emerging Canadian golfers through Golf Canada's grassroots developmental programming, their Canadian Amateur Golf Championships and high performance national team.
GOLF CANADA - LOVE THE GAME. GROW THE GAME.
Golf Canada is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing more than 340,000 members at close to 1,500 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sport Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, Golf Canada's mission is to grow participation, excellence and passion in the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game.
A proud member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, Golf Canada conducts championships, programs and services to help shape the present and future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, Golf in Schools presented by Callaway, Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, CN Canadian Women's Tour and CN Future Links - Canada's national junior golf program - are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. As the authority for golf in Canada, the association also administers the Rules of Golf, amateur status and handicapping and course rating.
In addition, Golf Canada 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 provide world class competitive opportunities for Canada's top golfers to showcase their talents. For more information about what Golf Canada is doing to support golf in your community, visit us online at www.golfcanada.ca.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Dan Pino
Director
Corporate Communications
Golf Canada
t: 1.800.263.0009 ext. 406
c: 416.434.5525
e: [email protected]
Jackie Braden
Senior Manager, Brand Communications
RBC
t: 416.974.1724
c: 416.318.7950
e: [email protected]
Karen Smith
Executive Director
Community Child Abuse Council
t: 905.523.1020 ext. 11
e: [email protected]
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