11-06-08 Alpharetta Hospitality Industry Supports Soldiers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—November 6, 2008

Alpharetta Hospitality Industry Supports Soldiers

Two Alpharetta hotels, Residence Inn Atlanta Alpharetta North Point Mall and Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta, have come together to donate more than 40 room nights for men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who are participating in the Birdies for the Brave (B4B) golf tournament taking place November 8-9 at White Columns Country Club.  For the second year in a row, the PGA TOUR and Heritage Golf Group have come together to conduct fundraising through Birdies for the Brave  – a national military outreach program supporting the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families.

White Columns members were told to do push-ups by the soldier they golfed with during last year’s tournament.

Said Janet Rodgers, President and CEO of the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau, “Partnerships are important in all aspects of daily business. The CVB is proud to be a part of Alpharetta’s hospitality industry as they give back to the men and women who have served this country for the freedom we experience every day.”

Added Thomas Wright, General Manager of the Marriott Residence Inn North Point, “It is our pleasure to acknowledge the hard work of those serving our country by providing complimentary room nights for soldiers who have returned from service and who are participating in this golf tournament.”

“We are very excited to be able to support this golf tournament. The Alpharetta Marriott feels honored and privileged to be part of such a worthy cause. We understand that democracy is not only a right, but a privilege that comes with sacrifice. Our thoughts and prayers are with the brave men and women who serve and protect this country” said Shane Galbraith, Director of Sales and Marketing at the Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta.

B4B fundraising activities will include a gala, complete with dinner and a silent auction on Saturday night at Atlanta National Golf Club, as well as a golf tournament, in which each group gets to play with an active duty soldier on Sunday at White Columns Country Club. They hope to raise $100,000, doubling the Club’s donation last year. About 200 people are expected to attend the gala and around 120 golfers will play in the golf tournament; 40 of the players will be soldiers.

The Georgia Tech Color Guard sets the tone for the tournament.

Proceeds raised will benefit six outstanding B4B homefront groups that directly serve military men and women and their families:

• Homes For Our Troops, a non-profit organization supported by tour player Phil Mickelson that adapts or builds new homes designed for military men and women returning to America with serious injuries and disabilities. www.homesforourtroops.org
• Special Operations Warrior Foundation, a non-profit organization supported by TOUR Player Phil Mickelson dedicated to providing free college scholarships and educational counseling to the children of Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps Special Operations personnel lost in performance of their duty.  www.specialops.org
• Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, a non-profit organization supported by TOUR Player Rory Sabbatini that serves the families of military personnel lost in performance of their duty.  www.fallenheroesfund.org
• Naval Special Warfare Foundation, a non-profit group supported by TOUR Player Jerry Kelly dedicated to providing educational and motivational support, promoting health and welfare programs for the Naval Special Warfare community, and perpetuating the history and heritage of the U.S. Naval Commandos. www.nswfoundation.org
• Wounded Warrior Project, a non-profit organization supported by TOUR Players Frank Lickliter II, Jason Gore and Nick Watney dedicated to providing unique, direct programs and services to meet the specialized needs of severely injured service men and women.  www.woundedwarriorproject.org
• Operation Homefront, a non-profit organization supported by TOUR Player Corey Pavin that provides emergency assistance and morale to our troops, to the families they leave behind, and to wounded warriors when they return home.  www.operationhomefront.net

“We are extremely proud to have the opportunity to support the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who perform selfless acts of bravery on a daily basis in order to preserve the freedom of all Americans,” said Scott Renner, General Manager of White Columns Country Club. “We invite the entire community to come out on November 8th and 9th to join us in thanking our troops for the many sacrifices they make on our behalf.”

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