Club Car presented a check for $114,000 to United Way of the CSRA on Tuesday afternoon.
Since 2018, the golf cart manufacturer has sponsored the Club Car Championship at the Landings Golf & Athletic Club in Savannah, part of PGA’s Korn Ferry Tour. Between that tournament and working with its supplier partners, including Tuesday’s donation, Club Car’s charitable fundraising have yielded more than $250,000.
United Way CSRA has had a relationship with the company for nearly 30 years, a partnership that Vice President Robert McElreath referred to as its “number one program” in Club Car’s community philanthropic efforts.
“Almost 80% of the 1,400 employees that we have worldwide are based right here in this area, and all the funds raised for the United Way go back to helping the people with the needs that they have right here in this in this area,” said McElreath, noting that Club Car is headquartered in Evans, and that 85% of its vehicles are produced locally. “The local need, the local support for important needs of this community is really what drives us.”
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McElreath also observed that the vehicle producer began hosting a fundraising golf tournament to benefit United Way roughly 15 years ago, also combining it with an annual supplier conference in Augusta. McElreath estimated that over some 12 years, total donations exceeded $3 million.
“So our relationship with Club Car actually goes back to 1995… and so a lot has changed in our community through that time,” said Brittany Burnett, CEO of United Way CSRA. “A lot of businesses have changed, but Club Car has been steadfast in their support to us, because they understand the importance not only of taking care of their people and their customers, but also taking care of the community as well.”
The contribution, Burnett said, will allow the nonprofit to further its community endeavors, which serves 10 counties in Georgia—including both Columbia and Richmond—and two in South Carolina, Aiken and Edgefield. like this allows us to do even more work, because we know that throughout our entire footprint,
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“There are many families that are struggling, and so through this support from Club Car, we can then ensure that more families have the support they need, so that they’re not only hardly getting by, but they’re ultimately able to thrive.”
United Way has launched its Annual Giving Campaign for this year, which encourages local residents and businesses to donate resources toward its programs such as Ride United, which offers transportation services for those in need. Those interested in contributing to United Way of the CSRA may call 2-1-1, or visit www.uwcsra.org.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
