NEW: CVS Caremark Charity Classic—$1.2 Million to Area Charities

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

GoLocalProv Features Team

Front row: Professional/CVS Caremark Charity Classic co-host Brad Faxon, CVS Caremark Senior VP Eileen Howard Boone, PGA Tour Professional/CVS Caremark Charity Classic co-host Billy Andrade, and CVS Caremark President and CEO Larry Merlo.

It was an early Christmas present today, when 77 area nonprofit organizations received $1.2 million in funds generated from the CVS Caremark Charity Classic, at a presentation held at CVS Caremark’s headquarters. That brings the total funds raised by Rhode Island's largest charitable sport event to more than $16 million.

Present to award the funds 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 a holiday atmosphere, and inspirational stories were shared by a student and the Head of School for Our Sisters’ School – one of the nonprofit recipients of the funds – located in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

CVS Caremark Charity Classic's appeal

“The appeal of the CVS Caremark Charity Classic is two-fold,” said Merlo. “First, the tournament provides world-class entertainment for avid golf fans. In addition, the tournament has a deep commitment of providing much-needed financial support to a range of organizations that make a real difference in the lives of so many. In such a challenging economic climate, we are especially proud to give back to the communities we serve through the CVS Caremark Charity Classic.”

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Funds raised by this year’s CVS Caremark Charity Classic will support the missions of a multitude of charities, in turn, touching the lives of people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. From helping Crossroads Rhode Island, which provides basic emergency needs, shelter and housing for homeless families and individuals; to assisting Bradley Children’s Hospital in providing a range of family-focused, high quality mental health care to infants, children and young adults with emotional disorders and/or developmental disabilities; to supporting Our Sisters’ School in New Bedford in offering a quality education to girls from challenging financial backgrounds – the Charity Classic provides significant funding to target critical needs within the community.

Two golfers who make a difference--Andrade and Faxon

In addition to acknowledging the charities for their important work, Merlo accentuated the leadership provided by Andrade and Faxon through their roles as co-chairs during the history of the Charity Classic, presenting them with thank you plaques and special replications of the CVS Caremark Charity Classic logo. He also emphasized the dedication of the 20 working charities that provided nearly 1,000 volunteers to help bring the tournament to life.

Recipients for 2012

A total of 77 nonprofit organizations received funds raised by the CVS Caremark Charity Classic. Among the beneficiaries attending today’s check presentation 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 Children’s Hospital

Children’s Wishes of Rhode Island

City Year Rhode Island

Golf Foundation of RI Button Hole

March of Dimes Rhode Island

Meeting Street

Rhode Island Family Shelter