FROM STAFF REPORTS

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – PGA Tour Champions announced that Two by Two Rescue, one of the local charities benefitting from the Regions Tradition Birdies for Charity program, has been named the 2015 PGA Tour Champions Charity of the Year.

The 2015 Regions Tradition raised $783,000 for local charities, including more than 60 charities throughout Alabama participating in the Birdies for Charity presented by SouthWest Water Company fundraiser, which tallied $514,600 last year. In sum, the event has raised more than $3.4 million for area charities since 2011.

Through the Birdies for Charity program, participating organizations solicited and collect pledges of five cents or more from the general public and corporate donors, all based upon the number of birdies made by PGA Tour Champions players during the event. Flat donations of $20 or more were also accepted by participating charities.

“We are excited and humbled to be chosen and we pray that this seed money for our dream of a no-kill facility in Alabama will quickly multiply,” said Sonya King, executive director of Two by Two Rescue. “Thousands of dogs are waiting for us to save them and we thank PGA Tour Champions for blessing Two by Two Rescue’s mission of rescuing and giving life to abandoned, abused, distressed and stray dogs. I challenge the golf community and enthusiast to financially bless the no-kill facility project.”

Two by Two Animal Rescue is a 501 C (3) non-profit, no-kill organization, which opened in 2002 after founder Sonya King began feeding strays in Old Town Helena. King noticed another citizen leaving food for the stray animals and joined forces to rescue many in the area.

Their efforts continue today as Two by Two seeks to save the lives of unwanted, abused and abandoned animals, caring for the pets until they find permanent homes. Surviving on donations, fundraising and adoption fees, the organization fully examines each animal, spays or neuters and then microchips them. They are treated regardless of age, breed or medical cost, and are mostly kept in private volunteer foster homes in Birmingham and the surrounding areas of Helena, Pelham, Hoover and Alabaster, as Two by Two does not have a permanent facility.

“Over the years, the Regions Tradition has benefitted hundreds of charities in this area by helping them raise much needed funds and building awareness for their programs,” said Leroy Abrahams, Regions North Central Alabama area president. “We’re proud to support an event that truly gives back to the community and delighted that Two by Two was selected at the 2015 Charity of the Year.”

“We are honored to present Two by Two Rescue with our 2015 Charity of the Year award,” said PGA Tour Champions president Greg McLaughlin. “The effort that Sonya King and her team put behind helping animals who are unable to help themselves is both admirable and inspirational. By rehabilitating these animals and providing homes for them, Two by Two is creating a lasting impact in the greater Birmingham community, and establishing a new standard for shelters and Humane Societies across the country. Congratulations to Regions Financial Corporation and the Regions Tradition on this prestigious honor.”

As recipient of the 2015 PGA TOUR Champions Charity of the Year award, Two by Two Rescue will receive $30,000, which will go towards a no-kill animal shelter and an accompanying dog park to be built in Shelby County.

“It is our goal to alleviate the number of unwanted animals in the county that are euthanized,” said King. “We are thrilled to be chosen as PGA Tour Champions Charity of the Year. It is a humbling honor.”