Charity

Charity Overview

Since 1999 northern Nevada charities have benefited to the tune of more than $1.8 million dollars thanks to the goodwill and community outreach of the Reno-Tahoe Open Foundation.

In 2010, the theme of the Reno-Tahoe Open was 'Salute to Troops' and that is exactly what the tournament did by selecting key recipient of fundraising dollars for the July 12 - 18, 2010 event as the Nevada Military Support Alliance (NMSA). The NMSA is designed to provide support and coordinated integration to all Nevadans who have served or are presently serving in the United States military at a level that has not been achieved until today.

Created by the leaders of The Nevada Patriot Fund and the Nevada Military Support Alliance who recognized that the missions of their organizations overlapped and neither offered the full complement of services that Nevada's soldiers, sailors, marines or airmen require, decided to combine both organizations to create a single entity that will offer an unprecedented level of assistance and support to Nevada's military members and their families.

Reno-Tahoe Open Executive Director Jana Smoley noted, "Giving back is the number one mission of the PGA TOUR and the Reno-Tahoe Open. The community has been wonderful in supporting the tournament from the beginning and it's all made possible by the contributions from our sponsors, enthusiastic fans and our dedicated volunteers."

A variety of military initiatives were in place in 2010 to help us Salute our Troops, including:

Complimentary entrance to the Reno-Tahoe Open at a special admissions booth for active duty, Guard and Reserve military.
A Patriots' Outpost, featuring complimentary entrance to this hosted tent on hole #18 for active duty, veteran, Guard and Reserve military.
Soldier for the Day allowing children free admittance to the Reno-Tahoe Open and special military-inspired trinkets. Participating children follow hand held GPS device directions that takes them throughout the golf course and allows them to collect items along the way. Geocaching is the new trend among children and adults alike, and the Reno-Tahoe Open is proud to bring this to the grounds of Montreux Golf & Country Club!
An on-site military museum complete with military vehicles will be available for viewing. A Medal of Honor exhibit will also be featured.
Patriots' Luncheon will honor local companies that hold the jobs of those serving in our Guard and Reserve military.

Although the main charitable mission of the Reno-Tahoe Open in 2010 was to Salute our Troops, the RTO also continued to support other local charities through two new programs, Birdies for Charity® and Chip In For Schools.

Birdies for Charity® works like a walk-a-thon, except instead of counting miles walked, participants count the number of birdies shot during the 2010 Reno-Tahoe Open. Participants in this charitable fundraising program have the option to either donate a flat amount to a participating charity of their choice or to donate on a per-birdie basis. Don't forget the tagline of the PGA TOUR - these guys are good! In 2009 over 1,400 birdies were made at the Reno-Tahoe Open which means that if a donor had pledged $.25 per birdie, this would have equaled over $350 and your selected charity gets to keep 100% of the proceeds. To learn more about the program, visit the Birdies for Charity® tab.

Chip In For Schools is another charitable program of the Reno-Tahoe Open in 2010. Participating school programs had the opportunity to sell discount price tickets to the Reno-Tahoe Open and again, their school program kept 100% of the proceeds. This is a great fundraiser, so if your school is interested in participating in 2011, please contact Reno-Tahoe Open Charities Committee Chair, Tina Ford, at tina@renotahoeopen.com.

Northern Nevada charities that have received support from the tournament include:

SPCA of Northern Nevada; Boys and Girls Club of the Truckee Meadows; YMCA of the Sierra; The Children's Cabinet; Foster Grandparent Program; Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts; Care Chest; Reno Explorers; Safe Embrace; Galena High School; Bristlecone Family Resources; First Tee of Northern Nevada; Kids Klub; Senior Companion Program; Muscular Dystrophy Association; Friends of Special Children; Community Chest; GRACE Project; Nevada Diabetes Association for Children and Adults; Washoe ARC; CitiCare; Reno Philharmonic; Angel Tree; Lear Theater; VSArts; Junior Achievement; Nevada Shakespeare Company; Make-A-Wish Foundation; Washoe County Concert Association; Health Access Washoe County; House Calls; Fred & Judy Alexander Foundation; Reno Film Festival; Girl Scouts of the Sierra; Big Brothers/Big Sisters; Tahoe Lake/Rideout; Sierra Nevada Master Chorale; Step 2; Truckee Meadows Tomorrow; Washoe County Education Foundation; Food Bank of Northern Nevada; Nevada Museum of Art; Montreux Cares; Sweet Melissa Fund