Tournament officials announced in late November that the inaugural playing of the Ally Challenge presented by McLaren raised $801,060.41 for charitable organizations in southeastern Michigan. The total includes $365,000 for each of the tournament’s primary beneficiaries, Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan, serving children in Flint/Genesee County (JA) and Community Foundation of Greater Flint (CFGF).
“By all accounts, the inaugural tournament was a triumph for this community,” said Alison Summerville, business administration executive and head of Corporate Citizenship at Ally. “The legacy of The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren will live on for years to come through the great work of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint and Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan.”
Added McLaren Health Care Executive Vice President Greg Lane, “It is incredibly rewarding to work with The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren to positively impact the youth of Genesee County. McLaren is committed to making a difference in the communities where we live and work, and we look forward to building on the philanthropic successes of the tournament in 2019 and beyond.”
The tournament’s donation will allow Junior Achievement to expedite its five-year growth plan for Genesee County, with emphasis on the expansion of the newly opened JA Finance Park facility on the Flint Campus of Baker College. “These resources will help inspire and prepare thousands of K-12 students in Flint, and surrounding areas, to succeed in a global economy through their participation in Junior Achievement’s financial literacy and work readiness programming,” said Kandace Jones, President & CEO of Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan.
The tournament’s donation to the Community Foundation of Greater Flint will support two charitable funds – the Flint Kids Fund and the Flint Promise Fund. The Flint Kids Fund supports the long-term health and development needs of children and families affected by the water crisis with early childhood education, access to healthy food, access to a medical home, and family emotional supports. The Flint Promise Fund is a locally-driven initiative designed to offer Flint students more opportunities for post-secondary education through a promise scholarship.
“This donation is an investment in Flint’s future and a vote of confidence in our children,” said Isaiah M. Oliver, President and CEO, Community Foundation of Greater Flint. We are thrilled that the PGA TOUR Champions have a home in Genesee County. Their impact will be long-lasting.”
Volunteer and program recognition donations round out the tournament’s 2018 giving, totaling $44,338.66 to local charitable organizations, including tournament parking programs and volunteer support in tournament concessions.
The 2019 Ally Challenge presented by McLaren will be played September 9-15 at Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club, Grand Blanc.
Photo provided by ally challenge and Kayce McClure
