DALLAS, Oct. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest
Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) announced it will donate $625,000 to children's charities following its
31st Annual LUV Classic Golf Tournament. The 2016
donation recipients include Children's Hospital Colorado,
Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), Knights of Heroes, and
Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). The donations will benefit
the health and well-being of the children helped by these
incredible organizations.
For more than 100 years, Children's Hospital Colorado has
defined and delivered pediatric health care excellence by
demonstrating leadership in medical, research, education, and
advocacy programs, and delivering comprehensive everyday care. The
hospital has been a Partner of Southwest Airlines' Medical Grant
Transportation Program since 2010.
"Funds donated from the 2016 LUV Classic will go toward our
Children's Fund, our greatest area of need," said Julie Headley, Director of Corporate Giving at
Children's Hospital Colorado. "By supporting this area, we are able
to provide the hospital with greater flexibility to care for our
young patients and the ability to provide each child—as well as
each child's family—the best possible healthcare experience and
outcome."
With 111,000 annual patients, Children's Hospital Los Angeles
has dedicated itself to create hope and build healthier futures for
children through compassionate patient care, leading-edge medical
education, and innovative research. Since 2011, CHLA has also been
a Partner of Southwest's Medical Transportation Grant Program.
"Funding from 2016 LUV Classic will support our Helping Hands
Fund, which ensures that all ill and injured children who come to
us receive the care they need to thrive, and allow our doctors,
nurses, and researchers to concentrate on what's important: healing
kids, making scientific breakthroughs, developing cures, and
changing the field of pediatric medicine," said DeAnn S. Marshall, MHA, Senior Vice President
and Chief Development and Marketing Officer of CHLA.
Since 2008, The Knights of Heroes Foundation has been a military
Partner of Southwest. The foundation empowers children who have
lost a parent during military service by providing positive adult
mentorship, character development, and lasting friendships forged
during an annual wilderness adventure camp.
"The Knights of Heroes Foundation was created for families who
have sacrificed so much to preserve the freedom we all enjoy as
Americans. We host families with common losses, allowing them
to share experiences and build relationships while increasing
public awareness and ensuring that these incredible families are
not forgotten with the passage of time," said Steven Harrold, Founder and CEO of Knights of
Heroes. "Funds received from LUV Classic will go toward both the
2017 adventure camp (campers and camp activities), as well as cabin
renovations."
Since the inception of LUV Classic more than 30 years ago,
Southwest has helped Ronald McDonald House Charities serve more
than 185,000 children and their families.
"Our Houses are built on the simple idea that nothing else
should matter when a family is focused on the health of their
child. With the funds received from the 2016 LUV Classic, we can
continue our three-year goal to serve one million more children and
their families per year," said Sarah
Tobeck, Development Manager of Strategic Partners and Events
at RMHC. "We believe that when a child is hospitalized, the love
and support of family is as powerful as the strongest medicine
prescribed."
The LUV Classic was founded in 1985 by Southwest Airlines
President Emeritus Colleen Barrett.
The event has since grown to be ranked as one of Dallas' top charity golf tournaments by the
Dallas Business Journal, donating more than $16 million to children's charities since its
inception.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
In its 46th year of
service, Dallas-based Southwest
Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from
other air carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by
more than 52,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers
annually. Southwest operates more than 3,900 departures a day
during peak travel season across a network of 98 destinations in
the United States and seven
additional countries with service to Cuba expected to begin later this year,
subject to governmental approvals.
Based on the U.S. Department of Transportation's most recent
data, Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms
of originating domestic passengers boarded. The Company operates
the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world, the majority of
which are equipped with satellite-based WiFi providing gate-to-gate
connectivity. That connectivity enables Customers to use
their personal devices to view video on-demand movies and
television shows, as well as more than 20 channels of free, live TV
compliments of our valued Partners. Southwest created
Transfarency℠, a philosophy which treats Customers
honestly and fairly, and in which low fares actually stay low.
Southwest is the only major U.S. airline to offer bags fly
free® to everyone (first and second checked pieces of
luggage, size and weight limits apply, some airlines may allow free
checked bags on select routes or for qualified circumstances), and
there are no change fees, though fare differences might apply. The
airline proudly unveiled a bold new look: Heart.
A new logo, aircraft livery, interior design featuring a new seat
and Flight Attendant galley, Employee-designed uniforms, and an
updated airport experience all showcase the dedication of Southwest
Employees who connect Customers with what's important in their
lives.
From its first flights on June 18,
1971, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented
affordability in air travel described by the U.S. Department of
Transportation as "The Southwest Effect," a lowering of fares and
increase in passenger traffic whenever the carrier enters new
markets. With 43 consecutive years of profitability,
Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known
for a triple bottom line approach that contributes to the carrier's
performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the
communities they serve, and an overall commitment to efficiency and
the planet. The 2015 Southwest Airlines One Report™ can be found
at SouthwestOneReport.com.
Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online
at Southwest.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/southwest-airlines-tees-up-to-donate-625000-to-childrens-charities-from-31st-annual-luv-classic-golf-tournament-proceeds-300343645.html
SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.