RBC Canadian Open sets five-year, $5-million fundraising goal for children's health...

RBC Canadian Open sets five-year, $5-million fundraising goal for children's
health and wellness

TORONTO, July 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - 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.
SOURCE RBC

Jackie Braden, RBC, Media Relations, (416) 974-2124, jackie.braden@rbc.com