The Official Media Partner of The Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits

Avondale Championship Open’s “First Putt” to Benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley

By Nonprofit Marketing ArizonaSeptember 11, 2020
Avondale Championship Open’s “First Putt” to Benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley

NASCAR’s Championship Weekend starts with the swing of a golf club at the Avondale Championship Open.  Before the drivers take to the Phoenix Raceway track, community leaders and supporters will enjoy an afternoon at the Wigwam Golf Course to kick off race weekend.  On November 4th, golfers will take over two courses at the Wigwam, including nearly 300 players. Presented by Avondale Toyota, the golf tournament will benefit Avondale’s Boys & Girls Club, the Tri-City West/Thornwood Branch.

 

Avondale Mayor Kenn Weise has served as a longtime chair for the fundraising event.  This past Thursday, Julie Giese, President, Phoenix Raceway; Marcia Mintz, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley; Kamal Charef, General Manager, Avondale Toyota; and Rep. Lorenzo Sierra took part in the ceremonial “First Putt” to launch the tournament.

 

“Our Phoenix Raceway and NASCAR families are proud to support the youth of Avondale and the tri-city area with this special event during our Championship Weekend. The Race is about more than the drivers and the fans, we are a part of this community and we’re investing in the youth in this community, ensuring they have a safe, fun place to be when school is out,” said Giese. 

 

A group of community and business leaders have been tapped to be a part of the NASCAR Accelerators, the official host committee of the NASCAR Championship Weekend.  NASCAR Accelerators are dedicated to accelerating the community through motorsports by optimizing unique opportunities to promote community investment. They will be supporting the charity tournament to help raise dollars to finish the Club’s new Teen Center.  

 

“Boys & Girls Club of the Valley is thrilled and grateful to be a part of the NASCAR Championship Weekend. This golf tournament has earned so many local supporters for this Club and adding Phoenix Raceway’s continued support will have a significant impact for the hundreds of youth and teens in Avondale,” said, Marcia Mintz, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley.

 

“Avondale Toyota is proud to support Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley and our local Tri City/Thornwood Branch. Now more than ever we understand the value of helping our neighbors in need, especially kids right here in our community.  Times may be different but the strain on working families has only increased.  Which is why supporting our local Boys & Girls Club will directly ensure that these kids get the chance they deserve for a brighter future,”  said Kamal Charef, General Manager, Avondale Toyota.  

 

Mayor Kenn Weise, the honorary chair of the Avondale Championship Open explained his commitment, “The Championship Weekend represents a major opportunity to brand our community globally, and I’m proud to see Phoenix Raceway and so many leaders acting locally.  The overhaul of the Tri-City West Club will attract more local youth looking to explore career and recreational opportunities.” This year marks the 25th year of the Avondale Cup, this year called the Avondale Championship Open. Over the years, the tournament has raised more than $400,000 to support positive programming for kids in the West Valley. 

 

To learn more about the Avondale Championship Open, visit www.bgcaz.org/avondale-cup/. 

 

About Arizona Accelerators: 

Arizona Accelerator Charities’ mission is to accelerate the development of children in Arizona by supporting education, children and families of our military and military veterans, as well as life enrichment programs for children and families in our community. Arizona Accelerator Charities is a 501(c)(3) donor advised fund under The NASCAR Foundation.

In March 2020, Phoenix Raceway and Arizona Accelerator Charities formed the NASCAR Accelerators, the official host committee of the NASCAR Championship Weekend. The NASCAR Accelerators are dedicated to accelerating the community through motorsports by optimizing unique opportunities to promote community investment.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley (BGCAZ):

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley offers affordable after-school and summer programs for 16,000+ young people in grades K-12. At 20+ Clubs across most of the Valley, BGCAZ provides award-winning programs designed to change the lives of young people.  For over 70 years, we have been committed to creating equity and opportunity for youth through programs that create pathways to academic, career and workforce opportunities and achievement. We help young people make healthy decisions and focus on social and emotional development to build resilient young adults. Most importantly, we work to develop strong character and leadership skills by creating positive connections to caring adults. Boys & Girls Clubs employs a Formula for Impact for how the organization impacts the life of a child. For more information: visit www.bgcaz.org and @BGCArizona on social channels.