January 16, 2009
BOB HOPE CLASSIC HOSTED BY ARNOLD PALMER DISTRIBUTES NEARLY $2 MILLION IN CHARITABLE FUNDS FROM 2008 CLASSIC
Public event of check presentations held Jan. 16 in Old Town La Quinta and features Classic host Arnold Palmer, Baseball Hall of Famer Yogi Berra, actor Bill Devane and La Quinta Mayor Don Adolph
LA QUINTA, Calif. - The Bob Hope Classic hosted by Arnold Palmer kicked off 2009 Classic festivities on Friday, Jan. 16 with special check presentations totaling $1.8 million to the many Coachella Valley charities it supports.
The event, open to the public, was held at noon adjacent to the Bob Hope Classic Shop, located at Main Street in Old Town La Quinta.
Representatives from the Classic distributed $1.8 million in charitable proceeds raised in 2008 to Eisenhower Medical Center and 37 other charities - 13 that provide structured programs for children; 14 that provide rehab, social and support services for those suffering from a variety of health conditions; nine that provide food and/or shelter for the hungry, homeless and abused and Eisenhower Medical Center.
On behalf of the Bob Hope Classic, Arnold Palmer presented a special grant in the amount of $250,000 to EMC and the Arnold Palmer Prostate Center. This special contribution will be used as seed money for the establishment of the very first Eisenhower Robotics Institute. When added to the $160,000 in grants already given this year, funds donated from the 2008 Classic will total nearly two million dollars.
"If ever there was a year in which our charitable contributions could help, this is certainly the one. We are very pleased to be able to extend our helping hand a little further this year," said Classic President John Foster."
A desert tradition since 1960, the Classic has now contributed more than $47 million to charity.
The 50th Bob Hope Classic hosted by Arnold Palmer will be held Jan. 19-25, 2009 at SilverRock Resort, Bermuda Dunes Country Club, Nicklaus Private at PGA West and Arnold Palmer Private at PGA West.
"The Classic's mission is to support the many charities doing extraordinary work in the Coachella Valley," Foster said. "An event like this only strengthens the efforts of our volunteers, sponsors and tournament staff throughout the year."
La Quinta Mayor Don Adolph, Palmer, Baeball Hall of Famer Yogi Berra, actor William Devane and immediate past chairman Dave Erwin were expected to take part in the event.
Local charities that will benefit from the 2008 Classic include: Boys & Girls Club of Cathedral City, Indio, La Quinta, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs and Palm Springs, C. V. Boxing Club, Pathfinder Ranch, Tools for Tomorrow, West Shores Youth Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters, C. V. Education Foundation, The Ofelia Project, Angel View Children's Foundation, Pegasus Riding Academy, Desert Blind & Handicap Assn., Desert ARC, Guide Dogs of the Desert, ABC Recovery Center, Stroke Recovery Center, United Cerebral Palsy, Mourning Star, Community Blood Bank, Desert Cancer Foundation, Alano Club, The Ranch Recovery Centers, C. V. Autism Society, Shelter from the Storm, C. V. Rescue Mission, Martha's Village & Kitchen, The Well in the Desert, Family Services of the Desert, F.I.N.D., FISH of the Lower C. V., Food Now, Meals on Wheels and Eisenhower Medical Center.
Tickets at $25 for the Bob Hope Classic Hosted by Arnold Palmer and further information are available at www.bhcc.com or by calling 1.888.MRBHOPE (672.4673).
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