Written By: Rob Goodman, Wyndham Championship Director of Media Relations
Greensboro, N.C. (August 21, 2012) - Through its Wishes by Wyndham foundation, Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE:WYN), one of the nation's largest hospitality companies, continued its support of the Piedmont Triad community through a week of charitable activities during the Wyndham Championship held at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, N.C. With a focus on improving the lives of children, Wishes by Wyndham is the official charity of the Wyndham Championship, and each year supports numerous national and Greensboro charities during the PGA TOUR event.
The week kicked-off with a visit to Brenner Children's Hospital in Winston-Salem, N.C., where Wyndham Worldwide leaders and associates, along with the PGA TOUR Wives Association surprised the children and their families with a "Vacation Day." This specially-created event was full of entertainment with classic beach boardwalk-themed games for the pediatric patients. Capping off the day was a donation of two Starlight Fun Center™ mobile entertainment units featuring, a Nintendo Wii™, donated on behalf of Wishes by Wyndham and Starlight Children's Foundation.
"Philanthropy has always been a central focus of the Wyndham Championship," said Mary Falvey, executive vice president and chief human resources officer, Wyndham Worldwide. "Part of the core values that drive our company is a commitment to the communities in which we live and work, and we are extremely proud and honored to be a part of this community during the tournament."
The charitable giving continued with Victory Junction being named the second annual "Charity of Choice" campaign winner. Victory Junction is a year round camp serving chronically and seriously ill children between the ages of 6-16, providing them and their families with life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun, and empowering. Tournament spectators voted throughout the week for their favorite charity at the "Key to Wyn" tent. Victory Junction was presented with a check for $100,000 after the trophy presentation on the 18th green.
"It is such an honor to be named the 'Charity of Choice,' and we would like to thank everyone who voted, not only for us, but for all the great organizations serving this community," said John McKee, president, Victory Junction. "We have enjoyed a great relationship with Wyndham Worldwide, Wishes by Wyndham and the Wyndham Championship, and they have been very generous to us and other charities over the years. Today's donation from Wishes by Wyndham means our organization will be able to reach so many more deserving children and their families in our community and beyond. We are very lucky to have a world-class organization that brings a world-class event to the Piedmont Triad every year. This event means everything to our area, and is such a vital part of our identity and history."
Charitable organizations also receiving donations at events held throughout the week, including the Kevin Harvick Foundation, which works to improve the quality of children's lives and help underprivileged youth find and realize their dreams; the PGA TOUR Wives Association, which was organized to render support and provide assistance to needy children and their families; and each of the three Wishes by Wyndham signature charities: SeriousFun Children's Network, Christel House International, and Starlight Children's Foundation.