FedEx St. Jude Classic donates $679,115St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (ALSAC) At the annual FedEx St. Jude Classic Celebration of Friendship luncheon on Jan. 14, FESJC officials presented St. Jude a check for $679,115—most of which was generated by the 2003 tournament. The donation brought the total amount of money the PGA TOUR tournament has donated to St. Jude to nearly $14.7 million since 1970. More than $13.3 million of that total has been raised since FedEx became the event's title sponsor in 1986.  In addition to the tournament's donation, Germantown's David Gossett, a PGA TOUR star in his fourth year on the circuit, also donated $28,865, including half his earnings from a 20th-place finish in the FESJC. During the luncheon at The Germantown Centre, officials emphasized an "Early Tee Time for 2004" as the theme of the 2004 tournament. The event is scheduled for May 23-30—the earliest the tournament has been held since 1976 and will kick off a three-year stretch for the FESJC on the Memorial Day weekend. FESJC officials also announced a new fund-raising initiative for 2004. The "Birdies for Charity" contest will encourage golf fans to predict the number of birdies made from Thursday through Sunday of Tournament Week at the Tournament Players Club at Southwind and pledge a specific amount of money for each birdie made. All proceeds will go to St. Jude, and a Buick Rainier will be awarded to the person who comes closest to predicting the number of birdies made during the week. Officials expressed excitement about the new source of money for the hospital. "It was just a tough year (in 2003) for quite a few reasons, but despite a difficult economy and other factors beyond our control, we still donated a significant amount to St. Jude," said FESJC general chairman Grattan Brown Jr. "We are fully aware that if we had to pay for all the services that our (1,850) volunteers provide, we wouldn't be able to give anything to St. Jude." Richard Shadyac, national executive director of ALSAC/St. Jude, received the donation on behalf of the hospital along with St. Jude patient Micah Rucker. "This donation means so much to the patients, doctors, nurses and staff of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital," said Shadyac. "The money is significant, but so is the role that volunteers play in raising these funds. Their spirit of cooperation and loyalty to the tournament and St. Jude is also a noteworthy gift." In addition to the donation, Jeannie Moisan-Weeks, a 16-year member of the FESJC Transportation Committee, presented a quilt autographed by volunteers to the patients of St. Jude. Brian Philips, vice president of U.S. marketing for FedEx Express added: "The hospital is truly a beacon of hope for sick children throughout the world. We are constantly aware of the patients at St. Jude and the dedication and hard work of the doctors, nurses and researchers there." Several FESJC volunteers who have served more than 25 years were honored at the luncheon: 25 years: 40 years: 45 years:
For more information, or to contact St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (ALSAC), see their website at: www.stjude.org |
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