With more than 21,000 employees around the company, it's no surprise that midstream energy company Valero Energy Corp. has a big presence. That presence goes beyond its industry operations, and beyond the city limits of San Antonio where the company is headquartered. In 2009, Valero employees, called "ambassadors of hope and service" by the company, devoted more than 142,000 volunteer hours to improving people's lives and giving back to the communities where they live and work.
One of the company's most successful and popular charity ventures is The Valero Texas Open and Benefit for Children Golf Classic. What began as a small golf tournament to benefit a San Antonio charity is today a nationwide effort to improve the lives of children. The Valero Texas Open Benefit for Children Golf Classic has proudly delivered millions of dollars to children's charities in the US, Canada, and the Caribbean since 2002. Through our generous sponsors and business partners, Valero distributes their donations everywhere Valero has major operations. The result is a network of strong, well supported agencies with the means to help thousands of disadvantaged, abused, and neglected children.
The company first took over title sponsorship of the tournament in 2002. Since that time, the tournament has raised more than $53 million for children's charities. Despite recent economic difficulties, the event has continued to grow.
In 2009, the tournament was moved to a May date as part of the PGA TOUR's FedExCup competition and weekend television coverage on CBS. The event is now covered by The Golf Channel, and this year, after 15 years at the Westin La Cantera Resort, the event and 2,200 players were moved to the new TPC San Antonio and JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa in northeast San Antonio.
Photos courtesy of Valero Energy
Despite the continuing economic difficulties, the tournament, for the forth consecutive year, raised roughly $8 million for charity, once again putting the event in the ranks of the biggest fundraisers on the PGA TOUR.
As in past years, funds were raised through sponsorships sold during the event. Special to the 2010 event was a donation of $50,000 was made to Feed the Children in honor of Valero's generous business partners and sponsors. Also new this year is the distribution of funds to children's charities near the ethanol plans purchased by Valero last year in the Midwest.
As in years past, shares of the funds raised will go to children's charities where Valero has major operations. The charities are chosen by committees of Valero employees at each site.
"Once again, our sponsors and business partners have, through their efforts and generosity, come together to help us raise these funds for children's charities," said Mike Ciskowski, executive vice president and CFO, who headed up Valero's efforts in the tournament this year.
"We are truly grateful for the tremendous support of Valero Energy Corporation and its business partners," said Joe Linson, chairman of Golf San Antonio, the group that organizes the Valero Texas Open.
Golf San Antonio raises charitable dollars through its pro-am golf tournaments, the Birdies for Charity program in which nonprofit organizations solicit pledges for every birdie made during tournament week, and the Chip In for Schools program, which allows schools to sell discounted tournament tickets and keep all the proceeds.
Valero owns or operates 15 refineries with a combined throughput capacity of approximately 2.8 million barrels per day, is a leading ethanol producer with 10 ethanol plants in the Midwest, and is one of the nation's largest retail operators.
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