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Global Golf Tournament Raises Funds for Impoverished Children
Global Golf Tournament Raises Funds for Impoverished Children
Published 06-06-08
Submitted by Group RCI
INDIANAPOLIS, June 6 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 2000 golfers in 21 locations on five continents will be playing to raise funds for needy children in the sixth annual Christel House Open international charity golf tournament. Renamed the Group RCI Christel House Open in recognition of the tournament's title sponsor, the event will take place across the globe in India, Mexico, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and the United States to benefit children who are amongst the most impoverished in the world.
"Christel House transforms the lives of many children around the world, giving them an opportunity to break the cycle of poverty through education and opportunity," commented Geoff Ballotti, president and CEO of Group RCI. "Group RCI is the world's largest global timeshare exchange company, offering our over 3 million members the opportunity to explore 100 countries around the world and this event is our way of giving back to those who need it most. Given that we are a global company, the idea of a global golf event married our business footprint with our philanthropic goals."
Global proceeds are expected to top $800,000. One hundred percent of proceeds are used for programs and services directly benefiting the 2700 children of Christel House, with locations in India, Mexico, South Africa, the United States and Venezuela. "It's more than a school," added Christel deHaan, founder of RCI and Christel House International. "We provide many children with their only meal for the day, their health care, and mentors who teach them life-skills development."
In the United States, tournament sites are located in:
-- Phoenix, Arizona, at Camel Back
-- Vista, California, at Shadow Ridge
-- Eagle, Colorado, at Eagle Ranch
-- Boca Raton, Florida, at PGA National Resort and Spa
-- Daytona, Florida, at LPGA International
-- Kissimmee, Florida, at The Legends at Orange
-- Carmel, Indiana, at Crooked Stick
-- Boyne, Michigan, at The Monument at Boyne
-- Booneville, New York, at Woodgate Pines Golf Club
-- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, at Myrtlewood Palmetto
-- Williamsburg, Virginia, at Williamsburg Country Club
-- Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, at Christmas Mountain Village Resort
Joining the title sponsor Group RCI as event-wide sponsors are:
St. Vincent Hospitals
FedEx Express
Morgan Stanley
Wyndham Vacation Ownership
American Resort Development Association
Bluegreen Corporation
Harding Poorman Group
JPMorgan
Main Event
Northern Trust
As the charity of choice for the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), Christel House and The Open are largely supported by developers, resorts and vendors in the timeshare industry.
About Group RCI
Group RCI, part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies, (NYSE: WYN) is the worldwide leader in vacation exchange and the European leader in vacation rentals, with exclusive access for specified periods to more than 67,000 vacation properties in approximately 100 countries. The company is comprised of vacation exchange, including RCI(R), and The Registry Collection(R); vacation rentals, including Endless Vacation Rentals(SM), Landal Greenparks(R), Novasol(R), and more than 30 other vacation rental brands; and NorthCourse(R), Leisure Real Estate Solutions. Wyndham Worldwide Corporation is one of the world's largest hospitality companies. For additional information visit www.grouprci.com or the media center of www.wyndhamworldwide.com.
About Christel House
Christel House International is a 501(c)3 public charity helping children around the world to break the cycle of poverty and become self-sufficient, contributing members of society. Christel House learning centers - located in India, Mexico, South Africa, the United States and Venezuela - provide education, nutrition, health care and character and life-skills development for children. The organization has received a Four Star rating from Charity Navigator and is celebrating its tenth year anniversary in 2008.
For more information on The Group RCI Christel House Open, please visit www.chopen.org.
