Press-Honda to sponsor 2nd Harry Carson Celebrity Classic
Debbie
News Journal -
"We are so glad to help this event," said Yoshimasa Ota, president of Honda of S.C. ""Not only are we, but many agencies and businesses are very happy to help. Education is the base for the people. This is a very good event to support the schools. We are so glad to be a part of it."
"Honda of South Carolina is proud to partner with The School Foundation and the Harry Carson Celebrity Golf Classic for education," said Jeff Helton, senior manager of administration for Honda. "We hope the tournament will continue to grow in support of education, as well as the community."
The Harry Carson Celebrity Golf Classic, slated for the Country Club of South Carolina, presents the only celebrity golf event in the Pee Dee, with marquee power provided by Carson, a businessman, nine-time Pro Bowl participant and graduate of Florence schools. Money raised will go to The School Foundation, which supports Florence School District 1 schools and is now South Carolina's largest private foundation supporting K-12 public education.
"I believe that we're all obligated to support those that helped us become the people we are," Carson said. "This community has supported its public schools through the creation of The School Foundation, and I'm proud to be able to give back and create more opportunities for all the little Harry's and Harriet's of Florence."
BB&T, whose sponsorship enabled last year's event to get off the ground, has also stepped forward as a major supporter again this year.
"Just like BB&T, The School Foundation helps build Florence and our community," said Frank James, BB&T vice president and city executive, and also a Foundation board member. "We at BB&T are delighted to be a part of something that has such widespread and long-lasting positive effects."
In 2006, The School Foundation gave a $71,500 grant to create "The Creative Economy" curriculum in Florence School District 1, which provides instruction and equipment to support career tracks for artists, musicians, graphic artists and other creative professions. The Foundation has announced it has $109,000 available for grants in 2007.
Carson has supported the Foundation since its inception and was honored as the district's Distinguished Graduate in 2004. Last summer, Carson was enshrined in the Professional Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, only the second South Carolinian, after Art Shell from Charleston in 1989.
This year's event at the Country Club of South Carolina, former host of the Nike Tournament, has two major additions:
• Spectators will be allowed Saturday to watch the featured sports celebrities and corporate guests at special locations along the links. Tickets will be free for District I students. Pricing and availability for all others will be announced later.
• Friday night's reception for celebrities, guests and major sponsors will also include an exciting auction of vacation trips, sports memorabilia and other high quality items.
The Harry Carson Celebrity Golf Classic presented by Honda of South Carolina begins Friday evening with a reception followed by a pairings party and auction. Saturday starts with breakfast at the Country Club of South Carolina, followed by tee off at 9:30 a.m. and an awards ceremony at 2:30 p.m.
The event has quickly become a regional economic development tool, said Trip DuBard, chairman of The School Foundation. Last year, roughly a third of the money raised and a third of the participants came from outside the Florence area. That illustrates not only the popularity of Carson and his friends, but also recognition throughout the Pee Dee that strong Florence schools help the entire region. Last year's event also provided opportunities for major industry leaders to mingle with political leaders and with each other.
Founded in 2000, The School Foundation raises private contributions to support educational excellence in Florence School District 1. The School Foundation Board is composed of education, civic and business leaders. Public schools educate more than 90% of all children in Florence County, more than 15,000 in Florence School District One alone. In 2006, the Foundation gave $71,500 to create a new arts-based curriculum and expects to give $109,000 in 2007. The Foundation gives grants of $10,000 or more. These funds do not go toward normal district operating expenses, but instead target student academics and citizenship, teacher quality, school safety and district leadership.
For information about the Foundation or the Harry Carson Celebrity Golf Classic visit the foundation website at www. theschoolfoundation.org or call the Foundation at 662-9996.
Last Published: June 1, 2007 11:1 PM
