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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2017
2017 Valero Texas Open’s Birdies For Charity® Distributes Over $2.3M
Over $2.356 Million in Charitable Contributions Distributed And One Lucky Donor Wins Ford Mustang
SAN ANTONIO, TX – The second-annual Birdies Breakfast of Champions took place Thursday, June 29 at Brick House Tavern. Representatives from over 138 organizations -- charities and program sponsors -- from San Antonio, Austin and Corpus Christi attended the event as funds raised through the eight month-long Birdies for Charity campaign were distributed to one-hundred-and-seven (107) participating agencies. More than $2.356M of this year’s $2.83M fundraising total was presented to a wide-variety of worthy causes.
The Birdies for Charity® campaign is a charitable initiative organized and supported by the Valero Texas Open, providing over 150 charity organizations throughout the greater San Antonio community and beyond with a fun and unique fundraising platform.
Individuals who made pledges or monetary contributions to Birdies for Charity had the chance to participate in one of several give-away contests provided by the Valero Texas Open.
GUESS THE BIRDIES CONTEST
Five (5) donors correctly guessed the exact number of birdies made during the Valero Texas Open – 1,975 birdies – a random draw amongst the five donors resulted in Les Barnes winning a Stay-and-Play Package at the J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa and TPC San Antonio. Barnes made a contribution to the Birdies for Charity campaign in support of Northside Lions Charitable Foundation.
DONOR ATTENDANCE CONTEST
As has become a Birdies for Charity tradition, donors who attend at least one day of the Valero Texas Open (Thursday-Sunday) were entered into a grand prize drawing to win a two-year lease on a brand-new 2017 Ford Mustang courtesy of South Texas Ford Dealers.
At the conclusion of the Birdies Breakfast of Champions, representatives from South Texas Ford Dealers together with the Valero Texas Open surprised James White with the keys to his new Ford Mustang.
“I just can’t believe it! I have donated over the years through Birdies and never thought I’d win!” explained White, who made a contribution to the Fisher House Inc. through Birdies for Charity and attended the Valero Texas Open.
By winning the Donor Attendance contest, White also earned Fisher House Inc. an additional contribution of $20,000 from the Valero Texas Open.
Andrea Desbien representing Fisher House Inc. at the Breakfast of Champions was so moved by the surprise contribution awarded through this contest that she gave a big hug to James White.
“This means so much and will do great things for our organization,” said Desbien.
As participating Birdies for Charity organizations continue to finalize their annual collections in the weeks ahead, the remaining funds raised through the campaign will be distributed by the Valero Texas Open. Birdies for Charity, thanks to its corporate supporters, is able to deliver 100% of all funds raised to participating organizations.
Please visit www.ValeroTexasOpen.com to learn more about the Valero Texas Open and its Birdies for Charity program.
The next edition of the Valero Texas Open is scheduled to take place April 16-22, 2018 at TPC San Antonio.
Click to view pictures from the Breakfast of Champions.
ABOUT VALERO
Valero Energy Corporation, through its subsidiaries (collectively, Valero), is a multinational manufacturer and marketer of petroleum-based and low-carbon liquid transportation fuels and petrochemical products, and sells its products primarily in the United States (U.S.), Canada, the United Kingdom (U.K.), Ireland and Latin America. Valero owns 15 petroleum refineries located in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. with a combined throughput capacity of approximately 3.2 million barrels per day. Valero is a joint venture member in Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC, which owns two renewable diesel plants located in the U.S. Gulf Coast region with a combined production capacity of approximately 1.2 billion gallons per year, and Valero owns 12 ethanol plants located in the U.S. Mid-Continent region with a combined production capacity of approximately 1.6 billion gallons per year. Valero manages its operations through its Refining, Renewable Diesel, and Ethanol segments. Please visit investorvalero.com for more information.
ABOUT VALERO IN THE COMMUNITY
Valero Energy Corporation, through its subsidiaries (collectively, Valero), and the Valero Energy Foundation are committed to improving the quality of life in communities where Valero has major operations. In 2023, Valero, its employees and the foundation collectively generated more than $77 million in charitable support through direct/in-kind donations, fundraising and volunteerism. Valero employees logged more than 127,000 volunteer hours in 2023 for hundreds of projects in their communities. Valero provides funding to a variety of nonprofit agencies for programs and services supporting education, basic needs, health care and civic initiatives. Through the overwhelming support of sponsors, the foundation’s signature programs, the Valero Texas Open and Benefit for Children, generated more than $23 million raised in 2023 for charities across the United States.
ABOUT THE VALERO TEXAS OPEN
The Valero Texas Open is the sixth-oldest professional tournament in golf worldwide, the third-oldest on the PGA TOUR and the longest held in the same city. In 2022, the tournament celebrated its 100th anniversary.
Its list of champions includes some of the greatest names in golf history: Walter Hagen, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Ben Crenshaw, Hale Irwin, Lee Trevino, Nick Price, Justin Leonard, Zach Johnson, Adam Scott, Jimmy Walker, Jordan Spieth and 2019, 2023 champion Corey Conners to name a few.
Since Valero became title sponsor in 2002, the tournament has become a leader in charitable fundraising among PGA TOUR events. The Valero Texas Open, together with its Benefit for Children and Champions fore Charity initiatives, has contributed more than $232 million to hundreds of worthy charities since inception. Please visit www.ValeroTexasOpen.com for more information.
Media Contacts
Stephanie Sage
Valero Texas Open
Director, Marketing & Community Relations
210.345.3839 office
Lee Patterson
Valero Texas Open
Director, Media Relations
704.913.1088 mobile
