Area Nonprofit Organizations Celebrate Success of the 2011 CVS Caremark Charity Classic
NEWS RELEASE
Area Nonprofit Organizations Celebrate Success of the 2011 CVS Caremark Charity Classic
Rhode Island’s largest charitable sporting event generates nearly $1.2 million for local charities
Woonsocket, R.I. (December xx, 2011) – Holiday songs and cheer filled the air at CVS Caremark’s corporate headquarters today as 64 nonprofit organizations received a much-needed boost from funds generated by the 2011 CVS Caremark Charity Classic. The tournament, Rhode Island’s largest charitable sporting event, this year raised nearly $1.2 million for charities across Rhode Island and Massachusetts, bringing the total funds raised since its inception to more than $15 million.
On-hand to award the monies raised by this year’s tournament – which draws some of the world’s best PGA and LPGA golfers – were CVS Caremark President and CEO Larry Merlo and PGA Tour Professionals/CVS Caremark Charity Classic co-hosts Billy Andrade and Brad Faxon. The trio distributed the funds amid holiday songs performed by the children’s chorus of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence and inspirational stories shared by a student and the executive director of San Miguel School of Providence.
“Giving back to the communities we serve is at the heart of the Charity Classic and the tournament helps hundreds of charitable organizations make a real difference in the lives of those who need it the most,” said Merlo. “We are so pleased to be able to support the great work being done by these organizations especially during these tough economic times.”
Funds raised by this year’s CVS Caremark Charity Classic will support the important missions of a range of charities, in turn, touching the lives of people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. From helping the Good Neighbor Energy Fund, which provides energy assistance to Rhode Islanders who are unable to pay their energy bills and do not qualify for federal or state funds, to assisting the Autism Project of Rhode Island with programs that improve the education and lives of individuals with autism, to supporting the San Miguel School in Providence in offering a quality education to boys from challenging circumstances – the Charity Classic provides significant funding to target critical needs within the community.
“Because of the CVS Caremark Charity Classic, boys who are disadvantaged are able to realize their dreams through a San Miguel education,” said Brother Lawrence Goyette, FSC, executive director of The San Miguel School of Providence. “Funds provided by the tournament assist us greatly in transforming lives. When our students have the opportunity for a quality education that closes academic gaps, broadens horizons and emphasizes community, they go on to beat the odds, stay in school and contribute to society in positive ways.”
Merlo added, “CVS Caremark’s passion for enriching our community only gets deeper when we hear stories of need and outcomes of success like those shared by Brother Lawrence. We are very proud to be a part of something so meaningful.”
In addition to rewarding all 64 charities for their good work, Merlo accentuated the leadership provided by Andrade and Faxon through their roles as co-chairs of the Charity Classic and the dedication of the 20 working charities whose hundreds of volunteers were instrumental to the tournament’s success. Merlo, Andrade and Faxon also announced the date of the 2012 CVS Caremark Charity Classic: June 17 through June 19.
A total of 64 nonprofit organizations received funds raised through the CVS Caremark Charity Classic. Among the beneficiaries attending today’s check presentation gathering were representatives from the ‘working charities’ of the tournament. They include:
American Heart Association
- American Red Cross
- Arthritis Foundation
- Autism Project of Rhode Island
- Boys & Girls Club of Providence
- Bradley Hospital Brain Injury Association
- Children’s Wishes of Rhode Island
- City Year Rhode Island
- March of Dimes Rhode Island
- Meeting Street
- Rhode Island Family Shelter
- San Miguel School
- Save The Bay
- Serve Rhode Island
- Sojourner House
- Special Olympics Rhode Island
- Spurwink RI
- Tides Family Services
- URI Golf Team
- Youth Pride, Inc.
About the CVS Caremark Charity Classic
The CVS Caremark Charity Classic is Rhode Island’s largest charitable sporting event and hosts some of the best PGA and LPGA professional golfers in the world. Funds generated by the tournament, launched in 1999, are distributed to area nonprofit organizations that provide vital funding to a range of programs serving children, families and people in transition throughout Southeastern New England.
About CVS Caremark
CVS Caremark is the largest pharmacy health care provider in the United States. Through our integrated offerings across the entire spectrum of pharmacy care, we are uniquely positioned to provide greater access to engage plan members in behaviors that improve their health, and to lower overall health care costs for health plans, plan sponsors and their members. CVS Caremark is a market leader in mail order pharmacy, retail pharmacy, specialty pharmacy, and retail clinics, and is a leading provider of Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans. As one of the country's largest pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs), we provide access to a network of more than 65,000 pharmacies, including more than 7,300 CVS/pharmacy® stores that provide unparalleled service and capabilities. Our clinical expertise includes one of the industry's most comprehensive disease management programs. General information about CVS Caremark is available through the Company's website at http://info.cvscaremark.com/.
CONTACTS:
Dawn Ratté Joanne Dwyer
401-453-4748; 401-580-9597 (Cell) 401-770-2898
dratte@addventures.com jdwyer@cvs.com
