FROM STAFF REPORTS

The Birdies for Charity fundraising program has kicked off for the 2016 Regions Tradition at Greystone Golf and Country Club.

Charities have started signing up to participate in this year’s program and donations are now being collected.

The 2016 Birdies for Charity program is working to increase charity participation with a goal to raise over $500,000 to be donated to local charities.

“SouthWest Water Company is proud to support greater Birmingham area charities through the Regions Tradition Birdies for Charity Program,” said Craig Sorensen, Managing Director of SouthWest Water Company. “Charities that receive funds through the program provide needed services for our area that benefit us all.”

SouthWest Water Company is in its second year supporting the program, and first year as the presenting sponsor of the Matching Funds program.

Its support allows for charities that raise $1,000 or more to receive a percentage match.

The top five charities (determined by which charity generates the most donations) will receive a higher match percentage through the SouthWest Water Company Matching Funds.

The exact match percentages will be determined at the conclusion of the program in June 2016.

The primary goal of participating organizations in the Birdies for Charity program is to successfully solicit and collect pledges of five cents or more from the general public and corporate donors based on birdies made by the Champions Tour players during tournament week.

Flat donations of $20 or more are also accepted by participating charities. Administrative and promotional costs for the program are paid by the Regions Tradition (excluding individual charity organization mailing or solicitation expense), and 100 percent of the pledges collected will go to the individual charity that solicited the Birdies for Charity pledge.

In 2015, the Birdies for Charity program raised more than $514,000 for charity, with Vestavia Hills Athletic Association winning first place in the Red Diamond Bonus Bucks contest, raising over $72,000.

Any 501(c) 3 organization recognized by the IRS may participate in the Regions Tradition’s Birdies for Charity program.

In addition, schools and athletic booster programs are encouraged to participate.

For more information and to register, visit Regionstradition.com/birdies-for-charity.php or call Allie Dunlap at 262-2815.

Tickets for the 2016 Regions Tradition will go on sale this month, and additional information can be found at Regionstradition.com.