CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Oct. 30, 2015) — American Tire Distributors Inc. (ATD) donated $270,000 in charitable gifts recently to four charity organizations: Ada Jenkins Center, Urban Ministry Center, Austin Hatcher Fund and Independence Fund Inc.
The donations were disclosed at the company's 26th Annual ATD Charity Classic golf tournament, an event that ATD said has contributed more than $1.5 million to local and national nonprofit organizations throughout its history. The golf outing took place Oct. 12 at The Peninsula Club in Cornelius, N,C.
ATD said this year's donations included both contributions from vendors participating in the golf tournament and a contribution from ATD.
“We've been an active member in the communities in which we operate for over 75 years and we believe it's absolutely essential to support groups that help address the important needs of people in our communities,” said William Berry, president and CEO of ATD.
“We want to thank all our vendors whose generous contributions, along with ATD's direct gift, have made it possible to support this year's worthy recipients.”
At the golf tournament, ATD announced it would establish a long-term relationship with The Independence Fund, a 501(c)3 organization with a mission to move the nation's severely injured veterans toward greater independence.
One initiative of The Independence Fund is distributing TrackChairs, which are customized wheelchairs, to qualifying veterans to provide them with improved mobility.
Donations distributed at the event were:
- $100,000 to the Independence Fund, which helps wounded veterans regain their independence. Brian Conwell, a severely injured U.S. Army veteran, was on hand with his son to accept a TrackChair at the ATD event.
- $100,000 to the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer, a foundation whose mission is to erase the effects of pediatric cancer and optimize each child's quality of life beginning at the time of diagnosis and continuing through survivorship. Services are funded solely through donations from foundation supporters.
- $35,000 to the Ada Jenkins Center, which supports people in the North Charlotte area become better educated, healthier and economically self sufficient. The center accomplishes this objective through the integrated delivery of health and human services.
- $35,000 to the Urban Ministry Center, an interfaith organization dedicated to bringing communities together to end homelessness. The center claims it provides these services in a more cost-effective manner than local shelters or other government-funded options through private support.