The DICK’S Sporting Goods Open, Security Mutual Life, and Sock Out Cancer® Present Monies Raised from 2023 “Birdies For Cancer” and Announce Charitable Initiatives for the 2024 DICK’S Sporting Goods Open
DICK’S Sporting Goods Open tournament director, John Karedes, alongside Security Mutual Life President and Chief Executive Officer, Kirk R. Gravely, and Security Mutual Life Chair of the Board, Bruce W. Boyea, proudly announced the results from the Birdies For Cancer campaign at the 2023 DICK’S Sporting Goods Open.
Birdies For Cancer is an initiative at the DICK’S Sporting Goods Open where donors can make a pledge per birdie made at the tournament (or a flat donation), with an additional 10% match made by Security Mutual Life.
In 2023, Birdies For Cancer raised $30,000 for the benefit of Sock Out Cancer, which was then distributed evenly between, and presented to, the UHS Foundation and the Lourdes Hospital Foundation, to assist cancer patients and their families in the Greater Binghamton area. “I want to thank Broome County Community Charities and the DICK’S Sporting Goods Open for all the support they provide to Sock Out Cancer and the community as a whole. Thank you to John Karedes and his entire team for making Birdies For Cancer a reality,” said Kirk R. Gravely, President and Chief Executive Officer of Security Mutual Life.
Founded in 2017, the mission of Sock Out Cancer is to assist financially distressed cancer patients and their families pay for non-medical necessities such as food, transportation, and housing, so that patients can focus their energy on fighting cancer. Since its inception, Sock Out Cancer has distributed $1.6 million to participating hospital foundations and other charitable organizations.
The DICK’S Sporting Goods Open, Security Mutual Life, and Sock Out Cancer also jointly announced that Birdies For Cancer will be returning to the DICK’s Sporting Goods Open in 2024. “We’re very proud as we celebrate the return of Birdies For Cancer. This will be our third year and we’ve surpassed $120,000 in total giving through the Birdies For Cancer initiative. We look forward to this number growing over time and continuing to use professional golf as a springboard to raise money for local charities,” stated John Karedes, tournament director, DICK’S Sporting Goods Open.
To make a donation to the Birdies for Cancer initiative at the 2024 DICK’S Sporting Goods Open, please visit https://dsgopen.com/birdies-for-cancer
Sock Out Cancer® is a nonprofit initiative that aids financially distressed families so they can put all of their energy into fighting cancer. It is funded through donations, community-based fundraising efforts and the sale of its signature multi-colored socks, all of which also help raise public awareness of the financial challenges facing families fighting cancer. To learn more about Sock Out Cancer, please visit SockOutCancer.org and the Sock Out Cancer Facebook page. Sock Out Cancer®, LLC, is wholly owned by the Security Mutual Life Foundation, which is a New York 501(c)(3) public charity.
About Broome County Community Charities, Inc.
Broome County Community Charities, Inc., has been the cornerstone of professional golf in Central New York since the first event was held in 1971. As host of the PGA TOUR’s B.C. Open and Champions Tour DICK’S Sporting Goods Open, Broome County Community Charities has contributed over $20.3 Million to numerous local charities. Our primary charitable recipients are the Lourdes Hospital Foundation and United Health Services Foundation. Additionally, local service clubs such as Rotary, Kiwanis and Lions who assist in the operation of the tournament, have received substantial dollars for their charitable organizations. We are the two-time recipient of the prestigious Presidents Award, the highest honor on the Champions Tour. Our website is www.dsgopen.com. Follow us at Facebook.com/dsgopen on Twitter @Dicksopengolf and on Instagram @dsgopen.
About PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS
PGA TOUR Champions is a membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older, including 34 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Tour’s mission is to provide financial opportunities for its players, entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back and generate significant charitable and economic impact in tournament communities. Follow PGA TOUR Champions online at PGATOUR.com, on Facebook, on Twitter (@ChampionsTour), on Instagram (@pgatourchampions) and on TikTok (pgatourchampions).
All events are televised in the United States, with most receiving complete coverage on Golf Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA TOUR Champions. Tournament programming is available via 25+ TV linear partners in 145+ countries and territories, with 25 channels carrying long-form and/or highlights coverage, and 200+ hours of live coverage distributed in 135+ countries and territories. Programming is also available via the OTT platform GOLFTV powered by PGA TOUR in every market outside of the United States, excluding China and Korea, with live coverage distributed in 130+ countries and territories.
About Security Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York
Founded in 1886, Security Mutual Life – The Company That Cares® – is one of the leading mutual life insurance companies in the United States. Security Mutual Life has been helping protect families and businesses during periods of prosperity, as well as during wars and times of economic uncertainty. The Company is recognized by leading life insurance analysts for its sound investment policies and performance. A.M. Best rates Security Mutual Life’s Financial Condition and Operating Performance Rating: A- (Excellent). * Security Mutual Life is licensed in all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
* A.M. Best assigns their “A-” (Excellent) rating to companies, which have, on balance, excellent financial strength, operating performance, and market profile when compared to the standards they have established. A.M. Best feels these companies have an excellent ability to meet their ongoing obligations to policyholders. The “A-” rating is fourth highest on A.M. Best’s 16-step rating scale. A.M. Best rating is current as of the date of publication. Ratings reflect a rating agency’s opinion of a company’s financial strength and ability to meet its obligations to its policyholders. A rating is not a recommendation of a company or any specific policy form.