CALGARY, Alberta, Nov. 09, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Shaw Charity Classic returned in record fashion in 2021 with Canadians chipping in to raise $14,797,827 for 233 children’s charities across Alberta.
After receiving the green light to safely bring the stars of the PGA TOUR Champions back to Calgary this summer, tournament officials and their generous partners vowed the event would play a key role in building our community back stronger from the pandemic.
Thanks to the generosity of Canadians from across the country, the Shaw Charity Classic has now raised more than $76 million for youth-based charities in Alberta since 2013 through its Shaw Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink charitable program.
“When the tournament started, we knew we had something special, but never could we have dreamed it would have grown into so much more than just a golf tournament. It is now a massive community support event that exceeds our expectations each year, and is something I am so proud to be a part of,” said Jim Riddell, Chair, Shaw Charity Classic.
Even in 2020, when golf’s greats weren’t able to play due to the pandemic, the community came together to raise more than $12 million to support the charities that need support now more than ever.
“With charitable giving being the heartbeat of the Shaw Charity Classic, the tournament simply has the power to rally the community like no other event I have seen. I truly believe that community support in Alberta is the reason this event continuously breaks charitable giving records each year,” added Riddell.
Shaw Communications donated $1.15 million to continue supporting charities participating in the Shaw Birdies For Kids program while the Shaw Family Foundation announced its donation of $1.5 million over three years.
“The ultimate goal of the Shaw Charity Classic has been, and always will be to better support as many youth and families in Alberta as possible,” said Brad Shaw, Executive Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Shaw Communications. “The growth and impact of the Shaw Charity Classic is undeniable – both in the amount of money raised and in the number of charities supported. None of this would have been possible without the enthusiastic and unwavering support of the Alberta community that gets behind the event year after year.”
Ultimately, it’s hundreds of thousands of Alberta children and their families who are once again the true winners.
Funds raised are helping deliver a positive impact for children in the areas of health, food support, family support, development and counselling, sports, arts, and youth programming.
The life-changing impacts of the tournament on Alberta’s youth this year include helping to provide:
- More than 12,000 lunches for kids in need through Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids
- 8,900 kids in Edmonton with sports equipment through Sport Central Association
- 36,000 kids with literacy programming through the Educational Partnership Foundation
- 60,000 books to kids participating in Calgary Reads, and
- 7,000 backpacks to the Stephen’s Backpacks School program.
The ninth edition of the Shaw Charity Classic kicked off with amateur golfers from across Canada taking divots on the Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club layout over three days – first, during Blakes Women’s Day and then the sold-out RBC Championship Pro-Am. When three days of tournament play got underway, Canadians Stephen Ames and Mike Weir charged to the top of the leaderboard, but at the end it was a jubilant Doug Barron who donned the white Smithbilt cowboy hat as the 2021 champion.
Bringing world-class golf to Calgary to create a significant platform for charitable giving has always been core to the Shaw Charity Classic.
The introduction of the Shaw Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink program ramped up the tournament’s charitable giving arm when it was created in 2015. The program was designed to be integrated into charities’ existing fundraising efforts to help generate new funds in communities across the country. Each of the participating charities connected to the Shaw Charity Classic receive 100 per cent of all donations collected on their behalf, plus up to 50 per cent in matched funding provided by the Shaw Charity Classic.
“With the success of the Birdies for Kids program, children’s charities across Alberta have raised millions of dollars, giving thousands of kids the support they need to grow, play and learn,” said Scott Thon, Chief Executive Officer of AltaLink. “We’re proud to support the next generation of Albertans through the more than 200 charities that participate in Birdies for Kids.”
The Shaw Charity Classic was also able to make a significant mark on its successful legacy of giving this year by welcoming Suncor to its family of community-minded corporate partners.
“We were pleased to be the presenting sponsor of the 2021 Shaw Charity Classic, supporting this record-breaking effort for Alberta children’s charities,” said Mark Little, President & CEO, Suncor. “The Shaw Charity Classic is one way Suncor is lending a hand to many non-profit organizations across Alberta, and helping to extend the positive impact of community giving.”
The 10th anniversary of the Shaw Charity Classic is scheduled to take place, August 1-7, at Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club in Calgary.
Additional Quotes…
“Shaw is an Alberta success story. Not only do they provide a service that countless Albertans rely on, they invest so much back into our own communities. It was just last year when I was able to join Shaw for an announcement of a massive expansion of high speed internet service for rural Alberta, which will make lives better for folks across our province. The news today about the huge amount Shaw has raised for Alberta’s charities speaks to their commitment to the communities they serve, and our province. Thank you to everyone at Shaw for their generosity and this tremendous achievement.”
— Jason Kenney, Premier of Alberta
"Congratulations to the Shaw Charity Classic for the incredible work they do in the community. This event raises important funds for our community, while elevating Calgary's profile throughout the world. The impact of this event can be measured through the gifts to so many worthy organizations. It truly reflects Calgary spirit of compassion and generosity.”
– Jyoti Gondek, Mayor, City of Calgary
"I am so pleased to see such a large amount of money raised through this year's Shaw Charity Classic that benefits hundreds of charities across the province. I know that these past few years have been incredibly difficult for our charitable organizations and these donations will make a difference in the lives of so many. This annual event has supported some incredible Edmonton based charities including the Boys and Girls Club of Edmonton, KidSport Edmonton, Junior Achievement of Northern Alberta and Autism Edmonton."
– Amarjeet Sohi, Mayor, City of Edmonton
About the Shaw Charity Classic
The Shaw Charity Classic will host some of the greatest names in the game of golf in Calgary at the Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club, August 1-7, 2022. The field, which will consist of 81 stars on the PGA TOUR Champions, will compete for US $2.35 million in a three-round, 54-hole stroke-play tournament. The winner will receive US $352,500. The annual PGA TOUR Champions stop in Canada showcases Calgary to the world through its broadcast on the Golf Channel. Led by a philanthropic Patron Group including Tournament Chairman – Jim Riddell, Allan Markin, Keith MacPhail, Guy Turcotte, Gary Peddle, Mike Culbert and PGA Tour Professional – Stephen Ames, along with title sponsor, Shaw Communications, the Shaw Charity Classic won the prestigious President’s Award as the top event on the PGA TOUR Champions in 2017, 2015 and 2014. The Tournament has raised more than $76 million in its first nine years that has been distributed amongst more than 233 youth-based charities in Alberta. For more information on the event, please visit www.shawcharityclassic.com. Follow the Shaw Charity Classic at facebook.com/shawcharityclassic and on Twitter @shawclassic.
For further information, please contact:
Chris Dornan
Shaw Charity Classic
T: 403-620-8731
