The renowned venue of the Masters golf tournament declares a joint contribution of $5 million towards assisting in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
The renowned golf club in Augusta, Georgia, along with the Community Foundation for the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA), pledged a combined $5 million contribution to the Hurricane Helene Community Crisis Fund on a Thursday.
As the chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, Fred Ridley voiced out on Thursday, "Our employees, local residents, buddies, and business owners require prompt and substantial aid to tackle the challenges they're currently facing in Augusta."
According to the club's statement, these extra funds will be put towards strengthening the American Red Cross's mobile feeding truck and its associated recovery center. This center offers complimentary water, food, laundry services, showers, and counseling to the affected residents.
Ridley spoke in the statement, saying, "Augusta National and the Community Foundation heavily recognize our responsibility to look after our community. Our intention is to make a difference when it's crucial, and our hope is that our donation might motivate others to assist or inquire about how they can contribute to this vital mission."
A week after Helene struck the Southeast, over 200 deaths have been reported across six states. Consequently, Hurricane Helene ranks as the second-deadliest hurricane to hit the United States' mainland since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
After making the $5 million pledge, Ridley emphasized the importance of supporting local communities, stating, "This funding will significantly aid in restoring the Augusta area, and we encourage fellow golf enthusiasts to participate in sporting events at our club to help raise additional funds for the cause." Also, showcasing the generosity of the golfing community, many professional golfers have pledged to donate a portion of their prize money from upcoming tournaments to the Hurricane Helene Community Crisis Fund.
