Alonzo Mourning Charities Presents Donation to Mentoring USA

11:57AM on September 09 2009

 

POST-COVERAGE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts: Tyler Sminkey, (786) 390-8510, tyler@mrprinc.com

Michelle Revuelta, (305) 221-1773, michelle@mrprinc.com

                    

 

6^th ANNUAL ZO'S MILLION DOLLAR SHOOTOUT GAVE GOLFERS

A SHOT ON THE GREENS WORTH ONE MILLION DOLLARS

Alonzo Mourning Charities' Star-Studded Golf Game Benefitted Underserved Youth

 

WESTCHESTER, NY (August 18, 2009) - NBA champion, author, and nationally recognized philanthropist, Alonzo Mourning, was joined by other like-minded golf enthusiasts and supporters of youth initiatives on the golf course for the 6th annual Zo's Million Dollar Shootout - giving one lucky golfer the chance to win $1,000,000!  Benefiting Alonzo Mourning Charities, the 6^th Annual Zo's Million Dollar Shootout, sponsored by TractManager and International Oil Trading Company, tee'd off at noon on Monday, August 17^th, 2009 at the Trump National Golf Club at Briarcliff Manor in New York. The event raised $100,000 this year.

 

Zo's Million Dollar Shootout has been a staple golf outing for the past five years, where golfers not only come out to compete for the chance at one million dollars but also to support the programs of Alonzo Mourning Charities.  The foundation empowers and educates today's youth through various enrichment services that help further stimulate the educational development children residing in low socioeconomic communities. This year, during the event, Alonzo Mourning Charities presented a $50,000 donation to Mentoring USA, a program offering important mentoring relationships for children ages 7 through 21 with differing levels of education and social challenges. Mentoring USA provides inspirational adult mentors to guide youth in developing better self-esteem, healthy relationships and making positive life choices.

 

"The generous award-given during a time when so many youth-serving organizations are facing fiscal challenges-is truly a blessing. This grant will allow us to expand our comprehensive mentoring program services in Newark, New Jersey while supporting a true community champion and visionary, Mayor Cory Booker," said Stephen Powell, Executive Director of Mentoring USA.  "We truly value exciting partnerships like the Alonzo Mourning Charities that support the critical work that we do-saving our youth through love, education and volunteerism."

 

 

Friend and supporter, Dwyane Wade, joined Mourning at the Million Dollar Hole for the day. Also joining Mourning on the course this year were Chris Duhon (New York Knicks), Ben Gordon (Detroit Pistons), Bonzi Wells (Shanxi Xhongyu); former NBA players John Starks, Allan Houston, Charles Smith, Ron Harper; former NFL players Brian Kelly, Carl Banks, Bruce Smith, Lawrence Taylor; former MLB player Kenny Lofton; and New York Knicks coach Herb Williams.

 

"It was great to see so many of our friends and supporters out on the greens today. Even though we didn't find our million dollar winner, just getting out here and sharing our mission with everyone makes the day worthwhile," said Mourning, Founder of Alonzo Mourning Charities.  "The support our guests provide really helps advance our mission.  With increased financial resources, we're able to change the lives of so many deserving children through education and mentoring."

 

Donald Trump and the Trump National Golf Club hosts Zo's Million Dollar Shootout each year.  The golf course is among the most highly regarded in the area boasting world-class facilities and a 7,291-yard par 72 golf course designed by golf course architect Jim Fazio.  Located in the heart of Westchester County, Trump National Golf Club is just 30 minutes from Manhattan and under an hour from Newark.

 

Participants in the tournament not only shot it out for the chance to win one million dollars, but also enjoyed a complimentary gift bag with top-of-the-line golf gear, welcome breakfast reception prepared by top chefs, putting contest, round of golf, post-reception feast featuring culinary delights, awards ceremony, and a live auction with exclusive items and celebrity experiences up for bid.

 

# # #

 

ABOUT ALONZO MOURNING CHARITIES

Alonzo Mourning Charities (AM Charities) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) public fundraising foundation. Its mission is to encourage the educational development of youth by creating programs and youth enrichment centers that promote positive change in low socioeconomic communities. Since 1997, AM Charities has raised more than $7 million for various programs that aid in the development of children and their families.  In addition to supporting numerous educational initiatives, AM Charities also includes:

 

• Honey Shine Mentoring Program, founded in 2002, this program works to empower young girls to shine as women through bi-weekly workshops and summer camp that help encourage the balance of mind, body, and soul in girls and women by providing nurturing experiences that enlighten their paths and empower their future (www.HoneyShine.org).
• Overtown Youth Center, the first youth enrichment center opened by AM Charities in 2003 in the historic area of Overtown in South Florida, which inspires and empowers youth and families by fostering hope through enrichment services (www.OvertownYouth.org). The next youth center is targeted for Bunche Park in Miami Gardens.
• Zo's Fund For Life was launched by Alonzo Mourning during the 2001 NBA All-Star Weekend, a program that raises funds for research, education, and testing to fight Focal Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a degenerative kidney ailment that Mourning was diagnosed with at the start of the 2001 season (www.ZosFundForLife.com).