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 http://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. DATASOURCE: RBC CONTACT: Jackie Braden, RBC, Media Relations, (416) 974-2124,
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