THE BOB & RENEE PARSONS FOUNDATION AWARDS $250,000 GRANT TO CIRCLE THE CITY MEDICAL RESPITE CENTER.
PHOENIX, AZ (April 24, 2014) – The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has awarded a $250,000 grant to Circle the City Medical Respite Center, a 50-bed facility that provides supervised medical care to homeless individuals who are recovering from illness or injury. Each individual admitted to the Center receives assistance from a dedicated case manager, who helps connect patients with relevant benefits, employment resources and ultimately housing.
“We are grateful for the compassionate gift from Bob and Renee Parsons which will help men and women recover from illness and discover a better life,” said Circle the City’s founder, president and medical director Sister Adele O’Sullivan, CSJ, MD. “Their generosity is helping us serve the homeless population in the greater Phoenix area, and fill a critical need within our Valley’s healthcare landscape.”
For many, Circle the City is the first step on the path to healthy, independent living. When admitted to Circle the City’s Medical Respite Center, patients are surrounded by a wide variety of services aimed at healing each patient medically, emotionally and spiritually. This holistic approach gives each individual patient the best possible chance to not only heal from his or her illness or injury, but break the cycle of homelessness entirely.
“Through the Foundation’s support of Circle the City we have a real opportunity to change lives,” said Bob Parsons. “By focusing our resources on continuing to care for our community’s ill and injured homeless individuals we can promote long-term wellness and support their journey home.”
After completing their medical course of treatment, more than 75 percent of patients find transitional or permanent housing with the help of Circle the City.
In addition to the care delivered by physicians and nurses, patients are given access to mental health therapy, substance abuse treatment, AA groups and psychiatric consultations. Community volunteers surround respite center patients with engaging activities such as art therapy, chair yoga and group outings to local museums and sporting events. This community re-integration has proved to be as important to the healing process as the medications administered through the clinic.
“It is our wish that the Valley’s most vulnerable individuals will find sanctuary and, more importantly, hope in the holistic care they receive through Circle the City,” added Renee Parsons.
About Circle the City Circle the City is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that provides for the unmet needs of homeless individuals and families in Greater Phoenix, especially during times of illness. Incorporated in 2008, the organization is dedicated to assisting with financial resources that make health care services possible where no other resources exist, and by providing basic necessities to help ease the burdens of homelessness. For more information, visit www.circlethecity.org.
$1.4MM Grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation Enables CASS to Triple the Impact of Non-Profit Pediatric Dental Center.
Bob & Renee Parsons Center of Excellence for Pediatric Dentistry at Murphy to Open in July 2014
Phoenix, AZ (April 22, 2014) – Central Arizona Shelter Services, Inc. (CASS) received a multi-year grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation for the renovation and operation of its Murphy Kids Dental Clinic. The clinic is the dental home for at-risk children in the Murphy School District in south Phoenix. The $1.4 million award will enable the pediatric dental clinic to triple its capacity over three years. By adding 10 new treatment chairs and extending the dental clinic’s reach into other school districts, the Clinic will serve 15,000 unique children by 2017.
More than 51 million school hours are lost each year due to dental related problems. In Arizona, more than 40 percent of low-income children lack access to dental care, the highest percentage of any U.S. state. In the Murphy School District, where nearly 50 percent of children live at or below the federal poverty level, poor dental health is an epidemic.
The Bob & Renee Parsons Center of Excellence for Pediatric Dentistry at Murphy will be the first non-profit, pediatric specialty clinic in Maricopa County. The Center will serve children living in poverty who are not eligible for Medicaid coverage at no cost, as well as those with AHCCCS-only coverage. Children insured through the state’s Medicaid program often exhibit the same degree of poor oral health as those children who are uninsured due to the lack of community dentists who accept AHCCCS coverage. By treating all siblings in a family, both insured and un-insured, the Center will be able to normalize dental care.
“The new Center will not only be able to provide children with ongoing dental care such as cleanings, fluoride, sealants, fillings, and one-on-one oral health education, it will also offer root canals, braces, and no-cost surgery to repair cleft lips and palates, impacted teeth, and other congenital or trauma-induced malformations,” said CASS Dental Director Dr. Kris Volcheck, DDS, MBA. “The Center will truly be a Center of Excellence.”
“Providing quality care for children is a guiding principle of our Foundation,” said Valley entrepreneur and philanthropist Bob Parsons. “Renee and I believe that every child, regardless of their current situation, background or other factors, is entitled to the medical care he or she needs.”
“Through our Foundation’s partnership with CASS we believe we can help thousands of at-risk children find their smiles and live healthier lives,” added Renee Parsons.
The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation’s grant will enable CASS to renovate its current space in the Murphy School District No. 21/Phoenix Rotary 100 Education and Health Center. The funds will also allow CASS to hire the clinical and support staff needed to operate the Center during its growth phase.
Through a collaboration with Maricopa Medical Center and Lutheran Medical Center of Dental Medicine in New York, two residents in pediatric dentistry will join the Center in July 2014. The addition will help ensure that all treatments are administered under the supervision of a Pediatric Specialist.
$500,000 Grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation Marks Largest Single Gift In Arizona Burn Foundation’s History.
PHOENIX, AZ. (April 16, 2014) – The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has awarded the Arizona Burn Foundation (ABF) $500,000, the single largest gift in the organization’s 47 year history, towards its $5 million strategic growth campaign. The grant will enable the non-profit, which is the only organization of its kind in Arizona dedicated to the emotional and financial recovery of burn survivors, to achieve their strategic goals through the expansion of prevention and outreach programs.
“Even in the best of circumstances, burn care resources are limited”, said Dr. Kevin Foster, Vice Chairman for Education and Research and Chief of Burn Services for The Arizona Burn Center. “The need for funds to provide prevention services and education can’t be underestimated.”
“Arizona Burn Foundation has a long history of doing great work in our community – supporting the emotional and long-term needs of burn survivors and beating the streets to help prevent burn-related injuries,” said entrepreneur and philanthropist Bob Parsons. “Through our partnership I believe we will help raise critical awareness, dramatically decreasing the number of preventable incidents in the greater Phoenix area.”
Data from the National Fire Protection Association shows that 1,141,250 fires occurred in residential structures in 2012, accounting for 83 percent of all structure fires and resulting in 2,855 civilian deaths. Homes with no or disarmed smoke alarms caused 60 percent of home fire deaths.
Scald burn-related deaths and injuries among children ages 14 and under, another critical health and safety issue, cost $44 million annually. Injuries to children four and under account for more than 90 percent of these costs.
The Arizona Burn Foundation plans to build a new Foundation Center in Phoenix to support the infrastructure and organizational requirements of the rapidly expanding program. The new facility will provide a much needed home-base for volunteer training, including training for smoke alarm installers and burn camp counselors. The gift from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation was pivotal in allowing ABF to begin construction on the new facility.
“The board and staff are truly grateful for this wonderful gift from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, which will help us meet the needs of more families than ever before as they struggle with the tragedy of a severe burn injury,” said AZ Burn Foundation CEO Mike Merucci.
About Arizona Burn Foundation
The Arizona Burn Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to assist those experiencing burn injury through comprehensive support, prevention, community outreach, education and research. ABF was established in 1967 and for 47 years has been the only agency in Arizona dedicated to the emotional and financial recovery of burn survivors of all ages, as well as providing prevention education to keep burn injuries from happening in the first place.
ABF fulfills its mission through programs and services that promote personal development, build self-esteem, offer financial assistance and teach home safety to children and adults. For more information about the Arizona Burn Foundation, visit www.azburn.org.
$8 MILLION RAISED AT MUHAMMAD ALI’S CELEBRITY FIGHT NIGHT XX.
Michael Bublé, Robert De Niro & John Paul Dejoria Honored Performances by Michael Bublé, The Band Perry, Kenny Rogers & More
PHOENIX, AZ. (April 13, 2014) – On Saturday, April 12, 2014 stars and athletes from around the country converged on the J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona for Muhammad Ali’s 20th Anniversary of Celebrity Fight Night. GRAMMY® Award winning superstar of country music Reba McEntire returned for her ninth year as emcee and announced that Celebrity Fight Night would become international celebrating its next event in Italy. The Phoenix Boys Choir kicked off the night with a rendition of the National Anthem. International superstar Michael Bublé, entertainment icon Robert De Niro, and philanthropist John Paul DeJoria, were honored with the 2014 Muhammad Ali Celebrity Fight Night Awards. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Billy Crystal were on hand to present to this year’s honorees.
Following the awards guests were treated to a host of performances under the direction of the multiple GRAMMY® Award-winning songwriter and producer David Foster, who returned for his 15th consecutive year as the evening’s Musical Director. Performances opened with The Band Perry who sang “If I Die Young,” and “Better Dig Too,” followed by Kenny Rogers who sang “The Gambler,” and “We’ve Got Tonight” for the crowd. Ronnie Dunn sang “Red Dirt Road” and “Boot Scoot Boogie.” McEntire took the stage again to perform duets with Kenny Rogers singing “Islands” and Ronnie Dunn singing “Cowgirls Don’t Cry.” Additional performances included, Caroline Kole, Jonathan Antoine, and a compilation of David Foster’s best hits. Michael Bublé brought the crowd to their feet, closing out the evening with an incredible performance including “Feeling Good,” “Haven’t Met You Yet,” and “Save the Last Dance.” Bublé surprised the crowd with a humorous performance of Christmas songs from his best-selling holiday album.
The black tie event also featured cocktails, a silent auction, an elegant dinner and an exciting live auction including one-of-a-kind luxury items. The live auction featured a space flight experience onboard the XCOR® Lynx®, rocketing up to 200,000 feet in five minutes to suborbital space. The two highest selling live auction items of the night were a private dinner at the home of Reba McEntire and a special evening featuring dinner with Robert De Niro, Billy Crystal and Joe Torre at De Niro’s Locanda Verde in New York—each dinner was sold twice for $500,000. In the spirit of giving, immediately following the live auction, GoDaddy Founder Bob Parsons announced that The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation would donate $1 million to The Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center. Celebrity Fight Night XX raised a total of $8 million benefiting the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, as well as several other worthy charities. Each year dozens of celebrity guests attend the event that has raised $95 million in 20 years.
Additional celebrity guests included Yank Barry, Bob Bondurant, Calais Campbell, Michael Carbajal, John Corbett, Ronnie Dunn, Yolanda Foster, Jim Higgins, Steve Keim, Nancy Lieberman, Nick Lowery, Harvey Mackay, Sam Moore, Lute Olson, Melissa Peterman, Chris Rich, Ralph Sampson, Richard Sherman, Mayor Greg Stanton, Terrell Suggs and many more.
For more information, visit www.celebrityfightnight.org.
Sponsors of this year’s event included USA Today Sports, Patrón, GoDaddy, PRO EM, and M Group Scenic Studios.
For additional information on this event, please contact Andy Gelb or Rachael Trager of Slate PR at (310) 461-0111. Photos are available through WireImage at www.wireimage.com.
Make-A-Wish® Arizona Wish Ball Presented by GoDaddy Raises Record $2.7M Thanks to Gift from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.
Bob Parsons Announces “Double-Down” Challenge in Support of Future Wishes
PHOENIX, AZ (April 10, 2013) – Make-A-Wish® Arizona will be able to fund an additional 360 future wishes in Arizona thanks to generous donors, both individual and corporate, who raised $2.7 million at the 2014 Make-A-Wish Arizona Great Wish Ball presented by GoDaddy, the world’s largest technology provider dedicated to small businesses.
Held annually, Wish Ball celebrates the mission of Make-A-Wish Arizona by raising funds to grant the future wishes of Arizona children with life-threatening medical conditions.
This year, Valley entrepreneur and philanthropist Bob Parsons made an impromptu announcement – The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation would double-down its support for the evening. The 570 Wish Ball attendees were challenged to give a little extra knowing that their personal donation would make three times the difference.
“We are so pleased that Bob and Renee believe in bringing their special brand of hope to our Arizona wish kids,” said Elizabeth Reich, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Arizona. “This year, because of the incredible generosity of our donors, especially the Parsons who donated $2 million, Wish Ball exceeded all expectations and was by far the most successful fundraising event in Make-A-Wish Arizona’s 34 year history.”
Donating not only dollars but also a motorcycle from his Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale dealership, Bob upped the ante during the live auction this year. Bob shocked and thrilled bidders when he announced that he would get a tattoo with the highest bidder for the 2014 Softail Breakout.
“It is only through the generosity of many that Make-A-Wish is able to have such a remarkable impact on the lives of Arizona wish kids and their families,” said Bob Parsons. “If by doubling-down and having a little fun during the auction we are able to inspire additional gifts to help give hope to these amazing kids, you better believe we are going to do it.”
The ball, which was themed as a “Great Gatsby”-like party, featured a live auction, silent auction, and the ability for attendees to “Fund-A-Wish”. The Fund-A-Wish portion was preceded by a glimpse into a wish experience with Arizona wish kid Logan, 9, whose wish to have a playground built in his community was recently granted.
“Logan and his parents provided a first-hand account of the impact a wish can have on a child who is dealing with a life-threatening medical condition, and their story greatly inspired our donors,” said Reich. “With the average cost of a wish approximately $7,500, this money will help us move closer to our goal of granting more wishes each year.”
“As a member of the board of directors and co-chair for this year’s ball, I could not be more delighted with both the event and the outpouring of generosity from those who chose to spend the evening with us,” said Renee Parsons. “I truly believe when the community comes together, like they did on Saturday evening, amazing things happen – wishes come true.”
For more information, visit www.wishaz.org to discover how you can share the power of a wish®.
The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation contributes $100,000 to benefit breast cancer non-profit founded by LPGA Star Cristie Kerr.
PHOENIX, AZ (April 9, 2014) – The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation today announced a donation of $100,000 to support Birdies For Breast Cancer, Inc. Founded by LPGA Star and Phoenix resident Cristie Kerr, Birdies for Breast Cancer is a not-for-profit organization that supports breast cancer research and preventative, diagnostic, curative and palliative programs.
“I am so honored to have the participation and support of Bob and Renee Parsons in my efforts to fight breast cancer, an often tragic and always disruptive disease,” says Kerr. “I first met Bob at the Muhammad Ali Fight Night event here in Phoenix, where we were both honored, and we have been friends ever since. I look forward to putting their generous donation to work by bringing necessary treatment and care to underserved women in our community.”
One in five women in Arizona are uninsured, precluding access to preventive care including lifesaving screening tests such as mammograms and Pap smears. As a result, under- and uninsured women are more likely to suffer serious health problems, waiting too long to seek treatment for chronic conditions and failing to fill needed prescriptions because of cost.
“Bob and I are delighted to support Birdies for Breast Cancer and Cristie’s decade-long mission to assist organizations that are champions for women’s health,” said Renee Parsons. “Our partnership will enable Cristie’s organization to deliver much needed resources to women in the Valley who have little or no access to the care they deserve.”
About Birdies For Breast Cancer Birdies For Breast Cancer, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that supports breast cancer research as well as diagnostic, curative and palliative programs. Founded in 2003 by LPGA Star Cristie Kerr, the foundation has raised over $3 million in the fight against breast cancer. In 2010, Birdies for Breast Cancer partnered with Jersey City Medical Center to create the region’s foremost comprehensive center specializing in women’s health issues. The Cristie Kerr Women’s Health Center offers breast cancer screening, diagnostic testing and treatment programs available to all women regardless of their ability to pay. The center has performed over 100,000 procedures since opening in 2010.
About the Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation inspires hope by providing critical funding at critical times to communities striving to make a difference. The Foundation primarily focuses on issues in the greater Phoenix area. The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation believes every person is entitled to an education, good nutrition, medical care, a stress-free, happy environment and the hope that they too, will share in the American Dream. The Foundation provides funding to non-profit organizations that are successfully addressing these essential needs. The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation is also committed to the children of Haiti, helping to grow and improve schools, medical services and overall well-being for communities in rural Haiti through the Hope for Haiti organization.
About Cristie Kerr Cristie Kerr is a 16-time Winner and two-time Major Champion on the LPGA Tour. She is the first American-born golfer to reach #1 in the Rolex World Rankings and is third all-time on the LPGA Tour career money list. Cristie is also recognized as one of today’s most prominent breast cancer activists, philanthropist and spokesperson. In addition to her charitable work off the course, Cristie’s extensive entrepreneurial resume includes building her own wine label, Curvature Wines, profits from which also benefit the fight against breast cancer.
Champion Golfer Cristie Kerr Tees Off Support for Semper Fi Fund with The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.
GoDaddy Founder’s Charitable Foundation to Match Kerr’s LPGA Tour Winnings
PHOENIX, AZ (March 20, 2014) – When Cristie Kerr tees off today at the JTBC Founders Cup, she’ll be competing for much more than a trophy. Semper Fi Fund is thrilled to announce that The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will match 100 percent of Kerr’s 2014 LPGA Tour winnings, dollar-for-dollar, as a donation to help injured and critically ill service members and their families. What’s more, Kerr will also be sporting the Semper Fi Fund logo on her bag throughout the 2014 season, raising awareness for the vital services Semper Fi Fund provides.
This initiative is one of many ways The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation gives back to service members. Recently, the Foundation funded the establishment of The Bob Parsons Veterans Center at the University of Baltimore; and, with contributions totaling over $5.3 million to date, their support of the Semper Fi Fund has helped countless men and women.
Kerr has throughout her career been an ardent supporter of various charitable efforts. Introduced to the Semper Fi Fund by Bob Parsons in 2013, Kerr, the daughter of a Vietnam veteran, was eager to get involved having learned about the life-changing work Semper Fi Fund is doing to help injured and critically ill veterans and their families.
“We’re incredibly thankful to The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation and Cristie Kerr for their support,” said Karen Guenther, Semper Fi Fund founder and CEO. “We are strong believers in the idea of ‘recovery through sport’ – so what a fitting way to raise funds and support for our service members in need.”
“I have been blessed that my career as a professional golfer has now given me the opportunity to give back to two causes that are very close to my heart,” said LPGA star Cristie Kerr. “I started Birdies for Breast Cancer in 2003 after my mother was diagnosed with the disease to help raise money and awareness for breast cancer research and treatment. Ten years later, The Semper Fi Fund has given me the opportunity to help raise financial aid for injured and critically ill members of the U.S. Armed Forces and in so doing, allow me to pay tribute to my father for his service to this country. I applaud the Semper Fi Fund and The Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation for the work they have done around the country and specifically here the Phoenix area, my home.”
“Our veterans, from each and every branch of our military, deserve to come home to a support system that reflects how much we appreciate and respect the sacrifice they have made for our country,” said Bob Parsons. “Through our partnership with Cristie I believe we will be able to help raise critical awareness and support for the great work Semper Fi Fund is doing each and every day for our country’s wounded warriors.”
“Bob and Renee continue to amaze us with their generosity, matched only by the size of their hearts,” Guenther continued. “And we are thrilled that they introduced us to Cristie, a gifted golfer, excellent partner and wonderful person. We will be watching and cheering her on to show our support!”
To watch Kerr play in support of Semper Fi Fund this year visit www.CristieKerrGolf.com/Eventsfor the 2014 LPGA Tour schedule.
Surpassing $34MM in Giving The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation Reflects on a Momentous Year.
On its 2nd Anniversary the Foundation Plans to Continue its Mission to Inspire Hope
SCOTTSDALE, AZ (Feb. 14, 2014) – Founded in February of 2012, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has made it its mission to drive positive change on both a local and international level. To date the Foundation has pledged more than $34 million in critical funds, primarily in the greater Phoenix area, to non-profit organizations which are successfully addressing issues associated with at-risk youth, homelessness, education, veterans’ needs, and medical care.
“Hope is not something that should be reserved for a particular need or group,” said Bob Parsons. “There are many causes out there which receive less public support because of the issues they address … these are the projects we seek out.”
Through their grant-making, Bob and Renee Parsons, in partnership with more than 40 charitable organizations, have helped inspire hope for tens of thousands. During 2013 alone the Foundation pledged nearly $21 million.
Major gifts of $1 million or more pledged during 2013 included:
“This year was a great year for Bob and me to revisit and strengthen our commitment to those organizations we support,” said Renee Parsons. “We were also able, through the appointment of an executive director for the Foundation, to research and build relationships with new organizations which are successfully ‘dealing in hope’ and making a difference.”
Grants to organizations for renewed commitments in 2013 totaled $16.3 million.
New beneficiaries with grant awards greater than $50,000 in 2013 included:
Crisis Nursery
$850,000
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix
$750,000
Maggie’s Place
$600,000
JDRF
$500,000
Mission of Mercy
$250,000
The AZ We Want Institute
$225,000
Child Crisis Center
$200,000
W.M. Keck Observatory
$189,000
CAF America (Andrea Bocelli Foundation)
$108,000
The 100 Club of Arizona
$100,000
Joe Foss Institute
$100,000
Elevate Phoenix
$58,000
In December of 2013, less than two years after the Foundation was established, Bob and Renee Parsons reinforced their commitment to philanthropy by publicly accepting an invitation to join The Giving Pledge, an initiative started by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett. The Pledge encourages billionaires to dedicate themselves to giving away at least half their wealth to philanthropic causes of their choosing.
“Timing and luck have been in our favor and we are profoundly grateful for our good fortune,” said Bob Parsons. “We intend to donate at least half of our wealth – and likely much more – to non-profits which are making a difference and inspiring hope for the American Dream.”
THE BOB & RENEE PARSONS FOUNDATION ELEVATES THE FUTURE FOR ARIZONA’S DREAMers THROUGH LIFT FOR SUCCESS SCHOLARSHIP GRANT.
PHOENIX, AZ (Jan. 27, 2014) – Elevate Phoenix today announced a $58,000 grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. The Foundation’s grant will provide privately-funded need-based scholarship opportunities for DREAMers, who do not qualify for public scholarship assistance funds, to pursue a college education through Elevate Phoenix’s LIFT for Success Program.
“How we raise and teach our children will impact our entire community,” said Renee Parsons.
“DREAMers can’t change where they came from or how they got here, but they can certainly change where they are going,” entrepreneur and philanthropist Bob Parsons added. “By supporting these children we have the opportunity to give them hope that they too can achieve their American Dream.”
Elevate Phoenix, a unique teacher-mentor program, targets urban youth struggling with poverty, gangs, drugs, violence and dysfunction. By matching students with a dedicated adult role model, who is available to them 24/7, the organization is breaking down barriers and transforming futures. An accredited program, the non-profit provides character, life skills, leadership, and literacy education to 4,500 elementary and high school students in four Phoenix public schools. The program model, founded in 1982 in Denver, Colorado, has served more than 30,000 students and has a 90 percent graduation and 85 percent post-secondary school entry rate, significantly higher than the national average.
Elevate’s Lift for Success college readiness program was established in 2010 to support students’ transition from high school to college. The program, which now has more than 100 participants, exposes Elevate graduates to the rigors of college by placing them in a high-touch college boot-camp program for the summer. In 2013, the collaborative venture with Gateway Community College, supported by Elevate mentors, had a 100 percent retention rate.
“Elevate Phoenix is a program that changes the lives of kids through the love and devotion of adults who care,” said Elevate Board Member and PGA Tour & Champions Tour Professional Tom Lehman. “I have a passion for these kids, and understand what happens not only in their lives but in the lives of their families and their community when real mentoring takes place. If I have heard a student say it once, I’ve heard it 100 times over the last 3 years – that their ‘entire perspective on life has changed because of Elevate Phoenix.’”
The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation – GoDaddy “Matching Challenge” Raises $5MM to Help Injured Service Members via the Semper Fi Fund.
Campaign Matching Customer Donations Dollar-for-Dollar Exceeds Original Goal
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Jan. 6, 2014) – Semper Fi Fund, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation and GoDaddy have announced the results of their two-month matching challenge. Thanks to GoDaddy, Bob and Renee Parsons and the hundreds of individual supporters who gave to the Semper Fi Fund this holiday season, the campaign raised an unprecedented $5 million – more than double the initial goal.
The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation and GoDaddy initially promised to match donations, dollar-for-dollar, up to $1 million to the Semper Fi Fund; but when the veteran charity hit their goal a month early, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation raised the stakes – twice – generously pledging an additional $1.5 million in matching funds!
“Our veterans, from each and every branch of our military, deserve to come home to a support system that reflects how much we appreciate and respect the sacrifice they have made for our country,” said GoDaddy Founder and Executive Chairman Bob Parsons. “The matching campaign was the perfect opportunity to strengthen our commitment to the Semper Fi Fund and give hope this holiday season to veterans who have been critically injured while defending the freedoms we enjoy as Americans.”
Donors were able to double their support for our wounded and critically ill heroes via the Semper Fi Fund’s dedicated donation page; and GoDaddy customers could also elect to “Round Up for Charity” during checkout, a program which allows customers to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar and effectively donate their spare change. GoDaddy and their customers have donated more than $1 million over the past two years to the fund.
“We are deeply grateful to The Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation, GoDaddy, and each and every individual supporter who helped us reach our goal,” said Karen Guenther, Founder and CEO of the Semper Fi Fund. “Through another successful holiday matching donation campaign, this year’s extraordinary $2.5 million gift significantly enhances the Semper Fi Fund’s financial assistance to our injured and ill service members and family supporters. Bob and Renee Parsons truly exemplify what ‘giving back’ is all about and their generosity continues to inspire!”
“We believe it is important to support the brave men and women who serve our country … especially those who are injured in the line of duty,” said GoDaddy Chief People Officer Auguste Goldman. “Our customers and our employees were quick to support the Semper Fi Fund again this year. We proudly hire and support our veterans and we thank everyone who contributed to this amazing cause. Each donation definitely made a big difference!”