Mike Weir and Community Partners Tee Off for Kids With National Fundraising Initiative
The Mike Weir Miracle Golf Drive For Kids will bring together individuals, sponsors and golf courses in united nationwide fundraising events to benefit the 14 hospitals that make up the Children's Miracle Network in Canada. Supported by the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada (NGCOA Canada), the Mike Weir Miracle Golf Drive For Kids will team up with the NGCOA Canada and their ‘Take a Kid to the Course Week', which takes place July 2-8, 2007, as both initiatives are child focused and community based. This new relationship provides a unique vehicle through which participating golf courses and individuals wishing to support the cause can now raise funds for kids and the Children's Miracle Network hospital in their community.
""As parents, contributing to the health and well-being of children was a natural priority for my wife Bricia and I when we started the Mike Weir Foundation,"" said Weir. ""We wanted to take our time to find the right fundraising program, as well as the right charitable partner, that allowed the Foundation to have the biggest impact. We are very excited about the Mike Weir Miracle Golf Drive For Kids initiative. It will allow everyone to participate in one way or another to assist children and our hope is that it grows into an important fundraiser from coast to coast.""
Founded in March, 2004, the Mike Weir Foundation is dedicated to advancing the physical, emotional and educational welfare of children.
One of the featured elements of the initiative will be Mike Weir's attendance at Sunningdale Golf and Country Club in London, Ontario on June 25, 2007, with proceeds from the day going to Children's Health Foundation in London, Ontario. Golf courses from across the country will be encouraged to host their own fundraising events, and each year, Mike Weir will attend a different Children's Miracle Network golf tournament with this fundraising initiative. A website dedicated to the Mike Weir Miracle Golf Drive For Kids will encourage all Canadians – both golfers and non-golfers alike – to participate in a variety of year-round fundraising activities including on-line donations and pledge-based fundraising.
""It is a real privilege to be associated with Mike and Bricia Weir and their Foundation,"" said John Hartman, Senior Vice President of Children's Miracle Network Canadian Operations. ""It allows us to work on so many levels – our ability to reach out to golfers and non-golfers, potential sponsors, and being associated with the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada is a partnership built for success. Children's Miracle Network just got stronger with today's announcement.""
Regarded as some of the finest hospitals in the world, the 14 Canadian Children's Miracle Network member hospitals provide 24-hour, state-of-the-art care for 2.6 million children each year, as well as leading research and community outreach programs that benefit both the children and their families.
""We're thrilled to have over 1,300 NGCOA Canada golf courses across the country team up with the Mike Weir Miracle Golf Drive For Kids for this excellent cause,"" said Jeff Calderwood, executive director of the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada. ""Children and family are the cornerstones of the ‘Take A Kid To The Course Week', so it's a natural fit for us to work with this fundraising initiative to give back to kids and children's hospitals across the country.""
For more information on the Mike Weir Miracle Golf Drive For Kids, its partner organizations, or to donate online, please visit www.mikeweirmiraclegolfdrive.ca
For more information about Children's Miracle Network, please visit www.childrensmiraclenetwork.ca
For more information on NGCOA Canada's ‘Take A Kid To The Course Week', please visit www.kidsgolffree.ca