- Paul W. Smith Golf Classic 18th Annual event held August 2, 2021, will provide critical funds that go to services benefitting 55,000 young people.
- Since the COVID-19 crisis, our charities – The Children’s Foundation, Detroit PAL, The Children’s Center and Variety the Children’s Charity of Detroit – have struggled with limited resources and growing demand for services.
- Corporate support this year has increased for the annual tournament with new sponsors and increased levels of support.
DETROIT, July 22, 2021 – Even though a single drive has yet to be made at the 2021 Paul W. Smith Golf Classic, scheduled for August 2 at the historic Detroit Golf Club, metropolitan Detroit’s corporate community is showing enthusiastic support for the storied charity. Considered one of the most successful fundraisers of its kind in Michigan, the event has raised more than $7.2 million net to date and has increased both the number of charities and children who benefit from the generosity of supporters.
“Our nonprofits are still dealing with challenges from COVID, yet they have never given up on the families they serve,” Paul W. Smith said. “In fact, the services our charities provide are more important today than ever. We are most grateful for the support we receive from our corporate community and from individual donors. Their active support helps our charities provide critical health and behavioral health services, athletic and school enrichment programs and medical and therapeutic services for children with special needs.”
Corporations across the metro Detroit community have come together for 18 years to support the event. Returning as Title Sponsor is News/Talk 760 WJR. The Tournament Sponsor is Ford Motor Company. All Presenting Sponsors are returning including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, DTE Energy Foundation, General Motors Corporation, Lear Corporation, Stellantis and Toyota Motor Sales, USA.
This year new corporate supporters have stepped up to participate in the event which benefits 55,000 Detroit youth. Corporate sponsors include Children’s’ Hospital of Michigan, Clements & Church, Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC, ITC Holdings, Jeffery King Interiors, Michigan Medicine, National Electrical Contractors Association, Near Perfect Media, One Magnify and Price Waterhouse Cooper. As well, individual sponsors have returned after an absence and others including Celani Family Foundation, Meijer and OthersFirst have increased their level of support.
The 18th annual tournament has raised over $7.2 million net to date. Beneficiaries include The Children’s Foundation, The Children’s Center, Variety the Children’s Charity of Detroit and Detroit PAL, the original charity. While the needs for vital services have increased during the pandemic, contributions for our charities from past years’ funding sources have decreased. In addition, many of the charities served by the Paul W. Smith Golf Classic also benefitted each year from Charity Preview and other events, which now have been cancelled.
The 2021 Paul W. Smith Golf Classic returns Monday August 2 to the historic Detroit Golf Club. Founded in 1899, the original 6-hole course was designed by English golfer William Herbert “Bert” Way. Recently renovated, the private course today offers 36 holes to members and guests.
“Our participants really look forward to the competition,” Paul W. Smith said. “The Detroit Golf Club is a magnificent course, and the clubhouse is most welcoming. What’s more, our golfers truly appreciate the opportunity to network and socialize in-person, on the links and off screens at an in-person event”.
The tournament features a double-shotgun tournament on one of the most beautiful courses and historic golf clubs in the nation. The rounds are followed by live music, fine dining, and an awards ceremony. All safety protocols for COVID-19 will be in place.
The Paul W. Smith Golf Classic holds a special distinction because of the personal commitment and continuous support of event Chairman Paul W. Smith, host of “The Paul W. Smith Show.” The radio program is heard weekday mornings on Cumulus Media’s News/Talk 760 WJR. The Paul W. Smith show will be live from the Detroit Golf Club from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on WJR 760 AM.
Sponsors are provided playing opportunities. A limited number of sponsorships are still available. Paul W. Smith invites members of the public to help support the nearly 55,000 youth served by these charities by becoming a Paul W’s Caring for Kids Club member. Memberships start at less than $10/month and are available at www.paulwsmithgolf.com under Paul’s Caring for Kids Club.
About The Paul W. Smith Golf Classic The Paul W. Smith Golf Classic has raised over $7.2 million net since 2004. From its inception, Paul W. Smith, legendary radio personality and talk show host from News/Talk 760 WJR, has championed the event, serving as a dedicated event chair and sponsor solicitor. Corporate and community support includes Title Sponsor, Cumulus Media’s News/Talk 760 WJR; and include Tournament Sponsor Ford Motor Company, Presenting Sponsors Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, DTE Energy Foundation, General Motors Corporation, Lear Corporation, Stellantis and Toyota Motor Sales, USA. For more information, and a complete list of sponsors, visit www.paulwsmithgolf.com.
About The Children’s Foundation The Children’s Foundation is a premier foundation focused on the health and well-being of the children of Michigan and their families by working in collaboration with other organizations in the community. By listening to community needs The Foundation responds by mobilizing and enhancing resources through innovative partnerships and funding models. Since 2011, the Foundation has distributed more than 70 million dollars in grant funding to more than 120 partners throughout the state. Current initiatives of The Children’s Foundation include Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation, The Jamie Daniels Foundation, First Tee- Greater Detroit and the Paul W. Smith Charities. Current areas of focus for the Foundation include mental health, nutritional wellness, abuse and neglect, oncology and cardiology research and injury prevention. Learn more at www.YourChildrensFoundation.org.
About Detroit PAL Detroit PAL was founded in 1969 in an effort to build positive relationships with the police department through sports and youth enrichment programs. This partnership has led to the creation of a youth sports and enrichment organization that positively impacts more than 12,000 children each year to find their greatness through athletics, academics, and leadership development programs. For more information, please visit www.detroitpal.org.
About The Children’s Center Since 1929, The Children’s Center has been empowering Greater Detroit children and families to shape their own futures. Annually, nearly 7,500 children and families receive evidence-based therapeutic mental and behavioral health services from The Children’s Center. Generous supporters help children and families overcome emotional and intellectual challenges, trauma from abuse, neglect, and poverty. Learn more about The Children’s Center’s 20+ inter-related services at www.thechildrenscenter.com.
About Variety the Children’s Charity of Detroit Variety is a children’s charity—simply helping kids no matter the need—by providing vital medical and therapeutic services, essential support, and recreational and educational opportunities for children with unique and special needs. Since 1932, Variety Detroit has been changing the lives of children through core programs to foster inclusion and independence. Whether with the provision of nutritious food or through the mobility that a prescriptive bike or equestrian therapy enables–or even by giving a child a prosthetic arm–Variety services more than 20,000 children annually. To learn more, please visit www.variety-detroit.com.
Contact: Melissa Bunker, mbunker@campbellmarketing.com, 586-219-0094
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