The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation Pledges $500,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley.

Longtime supporters of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley (BGCAZ), The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has awarded a $500,000 grant to support ongoing Club operations. The grant comes at a critical time as BGCAZ has had to expand programming during this time of COVID to continue its mission of helping youth and teens develop the skills and resiliency needed to successfully navigate childhood and reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible members of the community.

“Despite challenges brought on by the pandemic, the Boys & Girls Club has continued to put children first and provide a safe and supportive environment for families in our community,” said Bob Parsons, Founder & CEO of PXG.

Funding from this grant will help ensure that BGCAZ is able to deliver high-quality programming and increase staff capacity for the thousands of youth served in the Clubs. During an average year, BGCAZ serves more than 16,000 youth and teen Club members and provides more than 500,000 healthy meals and snacks. Throughout the pandemic, the Clubs have been operating at approximately 250 percent of average hours and supporting thousands of families.

“Last March, when COVID-19 hit Arizona, BGCAZ immediately expanded our operations and pivoted programs to provide extended childcare to healthcare and essential employees around the Valley,” said Marcia Mintz, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley. “This gift from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation comes at a critical juncture where we are continuing to serve those who need us most and preparing for a ‘new normal’ in our operations. We are investing in additional academic support programs, technology and staff training.”

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley have remained open for youth in Valley communities not only for afterschool care, but also for aid in distance learning. By providing Distance Learning Labs at 18 Clubs across the Valley, and offering extended Club hours from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, BGCAZ was able to serve up to 2,500 students – ages 5 to 18 years old – while also maintaining the CDC’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

“In a time of great uncertainty, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley has offered young people a much-needed sense of stability and constant support,” said Renee Parsons, President and Executive Creative Director of PXG Apparel. “The Clubs have stepped up to help families navigate things like distance learning and adapt to the new world we are all facing.”

In addition to increased operating hours, expenses for other resources and safety protocols in the Clubs increased just as quickly. These expenses included reducing student-to-staff ratios to follow social distancing guidelines, providing two nutritious meals and snacks per day, PPE, additional program supplies, and, of course, janitorial and IT support. Most importantly, these additional costs were not borne by families who are also struggling. BGCAZ was committed to keep program fees consistent and affordable.

The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation is a longtime supporter of BGCAZ. Over the years, The Foundation has invested a combined $8+ million to the organization including numerous academic scholarships, live auction items and other donations. The pandemic remains uncertain, but this gift will help BGCAZ continue to best serve those who need Clubs most. BGCAZ provides educational and recreational programming designed to help youth reach their full potential. A large focus is placed on academic achievement, personal development and leadership, resulting in higher than average graduation rates among Club members. To learn more about BGCAZ, and its impact on the community, please visit bgcaz.org.

The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation Donates $500,000 to Free Arts.

The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has donated $500,000 in general operating dollars over the next two years to Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona to support its strategic plan and ongoing growth. The nonprofit organization works to transform children’s trauma into strength and resilience through the arts. The focus of upcoming growth will be largely centered around reimagining Free Arts programming to incorporate virtual opportunities and ensure inclusivity.

“Free Arts offers children and teens a safe environment and productive outlet to help work through what is often a dark and challenging time in their lives,” said PXG Founder and CEO Bob Parsons. “We are proud to continue our support of this organization as it expands its efforts to bring transformational arts programming to even more children in need.”

The funds will be used to identify even more alternate programs and reimagine traditional Free Arts programs that can be delivered virtually or with a safe, hybrid model. Additionally, Free Arts will examine the organization with a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens and work to dismantle barriers to serving children and our community in the most equitable way possible.

“This fundamental support from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation is crucial to our organization during this difficult time,” said Free Arts Executive Director Alicia Sutton Campbell. “It will allow us to continue to adapt our programs to serve children safely, while also allowing us to focus on the future and how Free Arts needs to grow and change in the coming years to best serve the community.”

The nonprofit’s 10-year vision includes a statewide expansion and increased programming for alumni as they move into adulthood. Free Arts believes every child living in foster care and emergency shelters in Arizona should have access to resilience-building arts programs and caring adult mentors.

“Art can be a very powerful outlet for expressing ourselves and dealing with complicated emotions,” said President and Executive Creative Director of PXG Apparel Renee Parsons. “Free Arts is offering children and young adults the ability to harness that power for healing and growth.”

The Parsons have been longtime supporters of Free Arts and through The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation have granted more than $4.5 million to the organization over the past seven years, including this most recent gift.

Free Arts currently serves more than 6,000 children annually, utilizing the talents and skills of 17 staff members, 22 board members and 800 volunteers. To learn more about Free Arts visit FreeArtsAz.org.

The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation Grants $665,000 To The Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine Council In Support Of The 2021 Girl Scout Cookie Program.

This year, more than 6,500 Girl Scouts across central and northern Arizona are practicing their entrepreneurial skills by participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program. With COVID-19 precautions in place, girls are being challenged to find new ways of selling cookies. To help ensure the success of the Girl Scout Cookie Program, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has issued a $665,000 grant to the Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC) in support of the program and long-term goals of the organization.

As part of the grant, The Foundation will purchase the equivalent of one dozen boxes of cookies from every Girl Scout who is participating in GSACPC’s 2021 Girl Scout Cookie program. At nearly 80,000 boxes, this is the single largest cookie purchase ever made in Arizona and will help the council meet its goal of selling 2.1 million packages. The girls will be credited for the cookies and can determine if and where to donate the corresponding boxes through the GSACPC Gift of Caring program to organizations such as food banks, the military, first responders and other nonprofits.

“The Girl Scout Cookie Program teaches girls important lessons about entrepreneurship, responsibility, goal-setting and more,” said Renee Parsons, President and Executive Creative Director of PXG Apparel. “When you buy a box of Girl Scout Cookies, you are helping develop the next generation of female leaders, and that’s something we are proud to support.”

The cookie program plays a key role in promoting equity among GSACPC members. Proceeds allow local girls – 50 percent of whom live in households below the self-sufficiency threshold – to invest in themselves, give troops funds for activities and community service projects, support Girl Scout operations and provide financial assistance to girls who otherwise would not be able to participate.

“We went into this year’s cookie program not really knowing how COVID-19 would impact us, but we are extremely proud to be able to offer our girls a sense of normalcy in a year that has been anything but normal,” said Tamara Woodbury, CEO of GSACPC. “Mr. and Mrs. Parsons’ belief in providing a means to help girls grow their entrepreneurial, public speaking and financial skills through this modified take on our cookie program is evident in their generosity.”

With fewer boothing opportunities and an emphasis on contactless selling and delivery, this is a challenging year for Girl Scouts who are participating in the cookie program. Because of COVID-19 precautions, GSACPC has developed new ways for girls to sell cookies safely. Girls have set up drive-through booths, are using QR codes on door hangers and selling through the Girl Scouts’ Digital Cookie platform introduced several years ago. The public can find cookies nearby using the Cookie Finder at www.gscookiefinder.com. This year you can even have cookies shipped directly to you from a local Girl Scout troop. Cookie season for the GSACPC takes place through February 28, 2021, and as always, all proceeds will stay local.

“The Girl Scout Cookie program is about a lot more than cookies,” said Bob Parsons, Founder and CEO of PXG. “It’s about helping young girls build self-confidence and learn real-world lessons about business and entrepreneurship.”

The Bob & Renee Parson Foundation has been supporting Girl Scouts-Arizona Cactus-Pine Council in significant ways over the last six years and the recent grant brings its total support to more than $7,790,000. In addition to the cookie purchases, funds will be used as needed to ensure all GSACPC girls, including those in disadvantaged communities, enjoy a successful cookie season. To learn more about the cookie program visit GirlScoutsAZ.org.

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley Presents Fourth Annual Renee Parsons Girls Leadership Award And New Renee Parsons Excellence Award.

Awardees receive surprise announcements via Zoom call with Renee Parsons

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley (BGCAZ) has presented its fourth annual Renee Parsons Girls Leadership Award. Driven by businesswoman and philanthropist, Renee Parsons, the award honors girls who have demonstrated three fundamental leadership qualities – collaboration, assertiveness and empathy – and awards the recipient up to $80,000 of scholarship funding over four years and a new laptop.

“As a businesswoman, I feel compelled to support the next generation of female leaders and that’s what this scholarship is all about,” said Renee Parsons, Co-Founder of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation and President and Executive Creative Director of PXG Apparel. “It’s about encouraging young women to be fearless and confident. Education is a powerful tool that breaks down barriers and gives youth the opportunity to pursue their dreams.”

Formally presented via a Zoom call with Parsons, the announcement came as a surprise to the 2020 award winner, Kaiah James. James believed the call marked the final stage of the interview process but after a few standard questions, Parsons delivered the news that James had been selected as this year’s recipient. The full announcement can be viewed here.

“This award sparks generational forward movement and legacy,” said Eric and Shannon James, Kaiah’s parents. “It has been instilled in us that the next generation should strive to do better than the last, and with this scholarship, Kaiah will be able to do just that. It’s given her the ability to enter the workforce with financial freedom and get that head start that many African American children unfortunately don’t have.”

While many of the Foundation’s grants support a broad range of youth and underserved adults, Parsons is personally invested in providing motivated girls with the resources to become happy, thriving and successful women. Inspired by the list of applicants and her personal conversation with James, Parsons decided to offer a second BGCAZ girls’ leadership scholarship this year – the Renee Parsons Excellence Award – to Amaya Jones. This award presents the recipient up to $40,000 of scholarship funding over four years and a new laptop.

The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation is a longtime supporter of BGCAZ. Over the years, the Foundation has given a combined $8+ million to the organization, including numerous Youth of the Year scholarships, live auction items and other donations.

BGCAZ provides educational and recreational programming designed to help youth reach their full potential as productive members of society. A large focus is placed on academic achievement, personal development and leadership, resulting in higher than average graduation rates among Club members. To learn more about BGCAZ, and its impact on the community, please visit bgcaz.org.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley offers affordable after-school and summer programs for 16,000+ young people in grades K-12. At Clubs across the Valley, BGCAZ provides award-winning programs designed to change the lives of young people. For over 70 years, BGCAZ has been creating equity and opportunity for youth through academic, social, and workforce opportunities. We help young people make healthy decisions and focus on social and emotional development to build resilient young adults. Most importantly, we work to develop strong character and leadership skills by creating positive connections to caring adults and their community. For more information: visit bgcaz.org.

About The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation

The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation offers support to nonprofit organizations successfully working to empower, educate, nurture and nourish people during what is often the darkest time of their lives. Founded in 2012 by philanthropists and business leaders Bob and Renee Parsons to provide hope and life-changing assistance to the country’s most vulnerable populations, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation offers critical funding at critical times to those in need. The Foundation’s giving is driven by the core belief that all people – regardless of race, religion, roots, economic status, sexual orientation or gender identity – deserve access to quality healthcare, education and a safe place to call home. Follow @WeDealInHope on social media or visit TBRPF.org, to learn more about partner organizations and the important work being done in the community.

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Media Contact: Kaitlyn Kor | [email protected] | 480-410-6077

Semper Fi & America’s Fund and The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation Generate More Than $20 Million during “Double Down for Veterans” Campaign.

Semper Fi & America’s Fund today announced that it has successfully raised more than $20 million – including a $10 million match from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation – during the annual Double Down for Veterans Campaign. This end of year fundraising sprint helps The Fund in its core mission to assist combat wounded, critically ill, and catastrophically injured members of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families.

Since the campaign began in 2012, Double Down for Veterans has raised more than $142 million through contributions from both donors and a dollar-for-dollar match from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.

“Words cannot describe the boundless generosity of Bob and Renee Parsons. They are more than just long-time partners, they are truly family to The Fund in every sense of the word,” said Karen Guenther, Semper Fi & America’s Fund Founder, President and CEO. “The Parsons not only help The Fund raise the needed capital to help us run programs and services to care for service members, veterans and their families, but more importantly, they give people what they need most – purpose and hope – which are urgently needed right now.”

The money raised from this campaign helps support The Fund’s vital programming. These programs assist the service member – and family unit – from injury through recovery, aid in the transition back into the community and provide wellness tools for body, mind and spirit.

“When a veteran or military family needs help, The Fund is there,” said Bob Parsons, Marine Corps Vietnam Combat Veteran and Founder and CEO of PXG. “From addressing immediate financial needs to providing long-term support in managing PTSD, this is an organization that has continued to stand strong for our nation’s heroes.”

The impact of COVID-19 has greatly increased the need for service member and family assistance, and The Fund has stepped up to meet those needs through its issuance of grants. From the start of the year through December 15, 2020, The Fund saw the total number of grants to individuals rise 122% compared with the same period last year. The dollar amount of those grants jumped 59% and the number of service members receiving assistance increased by 73%. In fact, grants designated specifically to provide support to families with a critically ill child more than doubled, from $172,000 in 2019 to $416,000 this year.

“For the past nine years, Bob and I have partnered with The Fund because we are confident that supporting this organization is a great investment to help serve and assist service members, veterans and their families,” said Renee Parsons, President and Executive Creative Director of PXG Apparel. “The success of the match campaign is a testament to the great work being done.” The Fund is one of only two veteran-serving nonprofits to receive an A+ from Charity Watch and has held a 4/4-star rating from Charity Navigator for the past ten years – something achieved by only two percent of rated charities. Additional information about The Fund can be found at TheFund.org.

Semper Fi & America’s Fund and The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation Kick-Off 9th Annual “Double Down for Veterans” Campaign.

Semper Fi & America’s Fund (The Fund) is proud to announce that The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has issued its 9^th annual challenge to raise $20 million through its Double Down for Veterans Match Campaign. All donations made November 1 through December 31, 2020 to The Fund, which is one of the nation’s top-rated charities, will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to $10 million by The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.

“Bob and Renee’s extraordinary generosity has no bounds,” said Semper Fi & America’s Fund President, CEO and Founder Karen Guenther. “We are deeply grateful for all they do for our military and their families. 2020 has seen unprecedented events and changes but The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has never wavered in its support of The Gift of Connection that The Fund makes possible for our service members and their families.”

The grant will support The Fund’s mission to provide urgently needed resources and lifetime support for combat wounded, critically ill and catastrophically injured service members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. Programs work to assist the service member – and family unit – from injury through recovery, aid in the transition back into the community and provide wellness tools for body, mind and spirit.

To help The Fund reach its goal, the Double Down for Veterans campaign is also being supported by Parsons Extreme Golf (PXG). PXG was founded in 2014 by Bob Parsons out of a desire to make the world’s best golf equipment and apparel. PXG leverages breakthrough technology with sophisticated manufacturing processes to produce some of the finest golf clubs in the world.

“The impact of war can be seen in the physical and mental battle wounds our country’s veterans, and their families, cope with every day,” said Marine Corps Vietnam Combat Veteran and Founder & CEO of PXG Bob Parsons. “Semper Fi & America’s Fund provides the assistance and critical resources they need to heal.”

The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation is a long-time partner to The Fund and, since 2012, the Double Down for Veterans campaign has generated more than $122 million in support of service members and their families.

“This year, the onset of coronavirus has drastically changed life for all of us. Unfortunately, it has been particularly difficult for military families,” said President & Executive Creative Director of PXG Renee Parsons. “The men and women who serve our country, and the families who support them, need our help now more than ever. Every dollar counts. Join us in the Double Down for Veterans challenge and double your impact today.”

From injury through recovery, The Fund’s comprehensive programs improve the lives of wounded veterans and address the unique needs of their immediate families so that no one is left behind. Donations to the Double Down for Veterans Match campaign can be made online at TheFund.org/Match. Keep up to date on the campaign’s progress and learn more about those benefiting from the work of The Fund via its social media channels @semperfifund.

Grand Canyon University Scholarship Program Receives Substantial Gift From The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.

The $500,000 grant is the program’s largest gift to date and will provide education opportunities to high-achieving, low-income students

Grand Canyon University’s Student Inspiring Students (SIS) Scholarship Program has received a $500,000, five-year grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. The grant will fund full-tuition scholarships for “Parsons Scholars” – high school seniors who are the most academically qualified among SIS recipients. The largest single gift in the program’s history, the multi-year grant will provide life-changing opportunities for high-achieving youth who otherwise may not be able to afford a college education.

“Supporting higher education, and organizations like Grand Canyon University, is about more than funding a scholarship, it’s about investing in a person’s future,” said Founder & CEO of PXG Bob Parsons. “Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders, and I’m proud to support those who are willing to put in the hard work and earn a college degree.”

The SIS Scholarship Program is a public-private partnership in which a community-minded university, local businesses and donors, K-12 schools and a pay-it-forward scholarship program are greatly impacting education in GCU’s diverse inner-city community. Each year, the University awards full-tuition scholarships to high-achieving students from inner-city high schools who maintain a minimum 3.5 grade point average, demonstrate financial need and complete 100 or more hours of required tasks such as college-preparedness exercises and academic assistance in GCU’s innovative Learning Lounge. The Learning Lounge provides free one-on-one tutoring from GCU’s best and brightest students to any K-12 student who seeks assistance.

“GCU’s SIS Scholarship Program is providing motivated students in underserved communities with the tools they need to not only pursue higher education, but excel,” said President & Executive Creative Director of PXG Apparel Renee Parsons. “These programs are bringing hope and empowering students to follow their dreams.”

In the last six years, more than 4,500 students from 150 neighboring schools have taken advantage of this service, making nearly 60,000 visits to the Learning Lounge for 140,000 extra hours of study. In conjunction with that free tutoring program, GCU has awarded 361 four-year, full-tuition SIS scholarships to high school seniors who attend the Learning Lounge. Those SIS recipients, in turn, pay it forward while in college by providing 100 hours of tutoring to the next generation of K-12 students behind them – helping other students the same way in which they received help. More than 90 percent of the SIS recipients are students of color, which reflects the demographics of the communities surrounding GCU.

“We are extremely grateful to Bob and Renee Parsons for their generous gift and their recognition of the transformative impact this program is having,” said GCU President Brian Mueller. “First, the impact of the Learning Lounge program on K-12 schools in our neighborhood is incredibly significant. Second, that full-tuition scholarship allows high-achieving students an opportunity for a college education regardless of their socioeconomic status, changing the trajectory of their family for generations to come. And third, the recipient will also be impacting hundreds of future K-12 students while paying it forward as a college student and tutor in the Learning Lounge. The involvement of Bob and Renee Parsons allows us to get closer to our goal of having 800 students from our neighborhood involved in the SIS Scholarship Program every year.”

The initial cohort of Parsons Scholars will be selected by GCU’s SIS Scholarship Committee and announced in December 2020. The SIS Scholarship application deadline is Oct. 30. For more information, visit gcu.edu.

Headstrong Project Inc. Announces Partnership with The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation to Expand Mental Health Services For Veterans And Their Families.

Headstrong Project Inc., a national-facing mental health treatment practice providing veterans with barrier-free mental health care, received a $1 million grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation to expand upon its mental health treatment offerings. Amidst ongoing efforts to increase access to care for the nation’s veteran families, the funding will help Headstrong expand its number of clinical providers and increase capacity in new and existing markets. Currently, Headstrong operates in 27 cities across the United States and provides cost-free, bureaucracy-free, stigma-free mental health treatment to post-9/11 veterans and their families.

“I know first-hand what it’s like to live with PTSD. To veterans who feel isolated and alone in their struggle, my message is simple. You are not alone. There is hope for better days,” said Bob Parsons, Marine Corps Vietnam Combat Veteran and Founder & CEO of PXG. “Headstrong is destigmatizing mental health care and providing a new and better avenue for effective, confidential treatment.”

Working in partnership with Weill Cornell Medical College, one of the nation’s leading mental health care centers, Headstrong developed a first of its kind program tailored to each individual’s needs. The customized treatments address issues like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), addiction, anxiety and depression, trauma, grief, and anger management.

“At Headstrong, we are dedicated to healing the hidden wounds of war by working with skilled practitioners in, or near, the communities where these veterans live; it’s about meeting them where they are,” said Headstrong Executive Director Colonel (USA, Ret.) Jim McDonough. “Because of the generous support from people like Bob and Renee Parsons, we are more capable than ever of delivering highly individualized, private care to even more veterans when and where they need it most.”

Headstrong has a particular focus on helping those who are underserved, including veterans whose economic security has been jeopardized due to COVID-19 and who reflect diverse ethnicities and sexual identities, maybe justice-involved, and are coping with the consequences of military sexual trauma or housing instability. Unlike the VA, Headstrong serves all post-9/11veterans, regardless of discharge status or potential substance abuse issues. The nonprofit utilizes partnerships with aligned Veteran Service Organizations to offer care, free of charge.

“We are proud to partner with an organization so dedicated to helping veterans and their families get access to mental health treatment,”said President & Executive Creative Director of PXG Apparel Renee Parsons. “Whether it be cost, long wait lists, transportation limitations, or the social stigma surrounding mental health care, Headstrong is removing roadblocks that stop veterans from getting the help they deserve.”

Headstrong has demonstrated success in eliminating, or significantly decreasing, symptoms of mental health challenges and creating positive results such as restoring sleep, improving family communications and reducing substance abuse. Since its inception in 2012, Headstrong has served nearly 1,000 clients every month, through thousands of sessions of clinical care delivered by world-class, trauma-informed therapists and leading to improvements in mental health within the post-9/11 veteran population. Visit www.getheadstrong.org to learn more.

Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation Receives Substantial Grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.

The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation awards Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation (AFFCF) a multi-year, $150,000 grant to support its Keys to Success program. Each year, approximately 900 youth leave the Arizona foster care system at age 18 and research indicates that a high percentage of them are likely to experience poor outcomes such as homelessness, unemployment, unplanned pregnancy, low educational attainment, legal system involvement and substance abuse.

AFFCF’s Keys to Success program provides youth – ages 16 to 24 years old who are or have been in foster care – with individualized career planning, education and employment development services. The grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will support the AFFCF mission to create equal opportunities for children in foster care and lead them on a path to becoming productive, self-sustaining members of the community.

“Because of the instability in their lives, many youth in foster care have a limited or a misinformed understanding of employment opportunities, and even fewer have been encouraged to develop a plan for their future,” said Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation executive director Kris Jacober. “Thanks to the support of people like Bob and Renee Parsons, we are able to provide programs that help young men and women who are aging out of foster care learn how to navigate the world as independent adults.”

The Keys to Success program starts with an in-depth career exploration and goal setting process facilitated by a qualified, professional Career Development Specialist (CDS). The CDS administers assessment tools which help youth identify skills, interests, personality traits and work values and select job opportunities that best align with their profiles. AFFCF provides support every step of the way – from assistance with resume writing to providing a $200 stipend for youth to purchase interview and/or work appropriate clothing. Additional support provided by AFFCF can include things like driver’s education classes, acquisition of vital records, transportation costs (bicycle and/or bus passes), first aid classes and food handlers cards, computers, scholarships, tutoring, apartment set up when they are ready to live independently and additional services as needed. Eligible youth are recruited directly from where they live in foster families, group homes or other facilities. Through Keys to Success, AFFCF collaborates with a variety of partners including potential employers, housing services and educational organizations. For additional information or to join the mission, please visit the Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation website at www.affcf.org.

Team Rubicon Announces $2 Million Dollar Challenge for Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Sally Relief.

Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster relief organization, announced today a “Two-Million Dollar Challenge” for its Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Sally relief efforts. The challenge was issued by PXG founder and CEO Bob Parsons, a U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam War Veteran. Through PXG, a company dedicated to developing high-performance golf equipment and apparel, and in conjunction with The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, Parsons has committed to matching donations dollar-for-dollar, up to $2 million to support this effort.

Within hours of Hurricane Laura making landfall, Team Rubicon had volunteers, also known as Greyshirts, on the ground working to clear roadways to help first responders. In the hours and days following, Team Rubicon deployed 72 more Greyshirts to Louisiana and Texas, with additional volunteers planning to arrive in waves of 100 each week. The volunteers are coordinating with local and state emergency response officials to assist Lake Charles and Calcasieu Parish, LA, as well as Orange County, TX, in recovering from the storm with the potential to push out to other affected areas in Louisiana. All efforts are being conducted within the parameters of COVID-19 protocols established months ago in anticipation of responding to a hurricane in a pandemic environment.

Proceeds from the “Two-Million Dollar Challenge” will allow Team Rubicon to continue serving the hundreds of thousands of Gulf Coast residents affected by both Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Sally who are still without water, power, or access to their homes, which is likely to last up to five more weeks. While the media has mostly left, Team Rubicon is just getting started and will continue to support those impacted for weeks and months to come. Soon, hundreds of Team Rubicon Greyshirts will be clearing out flooded homes, tarping roofs, and boarding up windows to prevent further damage.

“We’ve been fortunate to have the support of Bob and Renee Parsons for many years. To work alongside a duo who understands the importance of providing hope during the most critical of times is as much of a natural fit for Team Rubicon as it is an honor,” said Jake Wood, CEO, and Co-Founder of Team Rubicon. “Through this partnership with PXG, our goal is to bring awareness to a community in need, while inspiring donors across the country to do what they can to help the people of Louisiana and Texas. Our hope is to raise additional funds, so we can continue our response efforts to restore the community as quickly and as safely as possible.”

This isn’t the first time that PXG has supported Team Rubicon. Following Hurricane Harvey in 2017, PXG’s commitment of one million dollars helped fuel Team Rubicon’s immediate response. The donation also helped kick-off a pilot “Rebuild” program committed to rebuilding 100 homes in the Houston area. To date, the program has welcomed 104 families back into their homes and continues with three homes currently in progress. Similarly, PXG’s million-dollar donation for Hurricane Irma relief funded a majority of the response. It enabled Team Rubicon to rebuild 40 homes in Florida that were damaged or destroyed by the storm.

A committed partner, PXG also supported Hurricane Florence relief efforts and, through an innovative “Essential Face Mask” campaign led by President and Executive Creative Director of PXG Apparel Renee Parsons, helped raise awareness of Team Rubicon’s Neighbors Helping Neighbors COVID-19 initiative.

Much like Hurricane Irma, at $50 billion, making it the fifth costliest hurricane to hit the U.S., this month’s Hurricane Laura has received little media attention and national support, which is why PXG, with support from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, is again stepping up.

“It is our mission to step-in when no one else will. To provide hope on the darkest of days and help ensure that the most vulnerable are not forgotten in the wake of a disaster,” Bob Parsons shared. “PXG is proud to support Team Rubicon and the many veterans who make up its ranks as they fall in to resurrect communities devastated by disasters and humanitarian crisis.”

Team Rubicon is powered by a 130,000-strong, highly-skilled veteran-led volunteer force that rapidly mobilizes to help communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and humanitarian crises. By focusing on underserved or economically challenged communities, Team Rubicon seeks to make the largest impact by providing emergency relief free of charge.

Quick to leverage the match to help make a meaningful difference, Mercury One made the first significant contribution to kick off the challenge. Target quickly followed suit with an additional commitment.

Anyone looking to double the impact of their support can visit http://teamrubiconusa.org/pxgmillion to donate. For more information or to make a gift to Team Rubicon, please contact Nicole Capossela, Chief Development Officer, at [email protected].

To volunteer with Team Rubicon, please visit http://teamrubiconusa.org/volunteer.