Canada's National Open Golf Championship continues its commitment to charitable giving
TORONTO, May 21, 2013 /CNW/ - RBC and Golf Canada today announced that Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada (RMHC Canada) has been selected as the charity partner for the RBC Canadian Open.
The announcement was made at a media event held at Ronald McDonald House Toronto, one of 14 houses across the country that provide families of seriously ill or injured children a home away from home while their child is being treated at a nearby hospital.
"Together with Golf Canada, we are very proud to partner with Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada to make a difference in the lives of children," said Dave McKay, Group Head, Personal and Commercial Banking, RBC. "RBC and Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada have a longstanding relationship and we will continue to work together to support the mental health and well-being of seriously ill children and their families. Children's mental health is a cause close to our hearts and we're excited about this national partnership."
Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada helps give sick children what they need most - their families. Ronald McDonald Houses provide over 10,000 Canadian families a year with qualified staff and dedicated volunteers who are committed to taking care of the day-to-day essentials of running a home, so families don't have to worry about them. The Houses also have programs that offer everything from education to home-cooked meals and are filled with many different families who all share a common bond - love for their sick child.
The First Canadian Ronald McDonald House opened in Toronto in 1981. And the national, charitable foundation created to support Ronald McDonald Houses (known today as Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada) was founded in 1982.
"Golf has a legacy of supporting Ronald McDonald Houses and families across Canada, and today's announcement takes that commitment of support to a whole new level," said Cathy Loblaw, President and CEO, Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada. "This wonderful partnership will help us to meet the growing demand we are facing, as we more than double the number of families of sick children we are serving - from 10,000 to 20,000 families a year. We are truly thankful to be the recipients of the RBC Canadian Open's spirit of giving which will enable us to help more families of sick children have a home away from home during their most difficult times."
Since coming on board as title sponsor of the RBC Canadian Open in 2008, RBC along with Golf Canada have raised more than $5 million for charitable organizations across Canada that support children's wellness initiatives. Throughout its history, Canada's National Open Championship has generated more than $45 million in charitable proceeds for important causes.
"A critical component of the RBC Canadian Open is to generate charitable legacies in our host communities and we are thrilled to welcome Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada as our national beneficiary," said Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons. "Canada's National Open Championship has been a rallying point for Canadian golf for more than a century and we are very proud that the RBC Canadian Open can now contribute to the important work that RMHC Canada carries out in support of families and sick children in communities across Canada."
The 2013 RBC Canadian Open is set for July 22-28 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. marking the 26th time the Jack Nicklaus designed course will host Canada's National Open Golf Championship.
ABOUT RONALD MCDONALD CHARITIES® (RMHC®) CANADA:
In 1982, Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada was founded to be the everlasting organization of support for Ronald McDonald Houses and their programs in Canada. Ronald McDonald Houses provide a home away from home for out of town families with sick children being treated at a nearby hospital. Today, 14 Ronald McDonald Houses serve more than 10,000 families each year, and will be serving 20,000 families across Canada by 2014. Completing our circle of support for Canadians is the Ronald McDonald Family Room® program providing an oasis of calm and support right inside the walls of the Hospital. Today there are nine Family Rooms across Canada as well as the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile™ program. For more information, visit www.rmhc.ca.
ABOUT THE 2013 RBC CANADIAN OPEN
Part of the FedExCup, stars of the PGA TOUR will compete for $5.2 million (US) at the RBC Canadian Open, July 22-28, 2013 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. Conducted by Golf Canada for more than a century, the RBC Canadian Open provides an opportunity for Canada's top talents to compete against the world's best golfers while also leaving a significant impact in the event's host community. Established in 1904, Canada's national open golf championship 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, Shaw Business, BMW Group Canada, C.F.F Stainless Steels, Molson Canadian 67, TaylorMade adidas Golf, The Glenlivet, PepsiCo, The Globe and Mail and Reader's Digest. For tickets or 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 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, Brandt Snedeker, Graeme McDowell, Hunter Mahan and Morgan Pressel. As the 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. RBC is one of North America's leading diversified financial services companies and among the largest banks in the world, as measured by market capitalization.
GOLF CANADA - LOVE THE GAME. GROW THE GAME.
Golf Canada is the National Sports Organization and governing body for golf in Canada representing more than 340,000 golfers at nearly 1,500 member clubs across the country. A proud member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, Golf Canada's mission is to grow participation, excellence and passion in the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. By investing in the growth of the sport and introducing more participants of all ages to the game, our goal is to be relevant to and respected by all Canadian golf enthusiasts from coast to coast. For more information about what Golf Canada is doing to support golf in your community, visit www.golfcanada.ca.
Image with caption: "2013 World Figure Skating Champion Patrick Chan (centre) practices his putting with some kids at the announcement of Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada as the official charity partner of the RBC Canadian Open (Left to right - RMHC Canada CEO Kathy Loblaw, Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons, RMHC Toronto CEO Jane Marco, RBC Group Head Dave McKay) (CNW Group/RBC)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130521_C8312_PHOTO_EN_26948.jpg
Image with caption: "RBC and Golf Canada name Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada official charity partner of the RBC Canadian Open (Left to right - RMH Toronto CEO Jane Marco, RBC Group Head Dave McKay, 2013 World Figure Skating Champion Patrick Chan, Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons and RMHC Canada CEO Kathy Loblaw) (CNW Group/RBC)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130521_C8312_PHOTO_EN_26951.jpg
SOURCE: RBC
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
Director, Brand & Sponsorship Communications
RBC
(t) 416.974.1724
(e) [email protected]
Roxanna Kassam Kara
Manager, Marketing & Communications
Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada
(t) 416.446.3448
(e) [email protected]
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