Augusta National announced a $5 million donation for hurricane relief.
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The Augusta community’s rebuilding efforts from the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene got a big boost Thursday, courtesy of the area’s golfing neighbors.
Augusta National Golf Club and the Community Foundation for the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) announced a joint donation of 5 million dollars toward local relief efforts, the latest initiative to help rebuild the Augusta area after the devastation caused by category 4 hurricane.
“I was in Augusta in the days immediately following the storm and saw firsthand its devastating impact.” Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley it is said in a notice announcing the donation. “Our employees, neighbors, friends and business owners need and deserve immediate and meaningful assistance to overcome the hardships being experienced right now across Augusta.”
Helene tore a destructive path across much of the American Southeast, toppling many trees, causing major flooding and leaving millions without power. The Augusta area was at the heart of the storm’s path and the city faces a long road back after many of its homes and businesses suffered ‘catastrophic’ damage.
In addition to the $5 million gift, the club, CSRA and the Medical College of Georgia Foundation announced special contributions to the response and recovery efforts currently being led by the American Red Cross, including a mobile food truck and recovery center in the area of downtown Augusta.
“Augusta National and the Community Foundation each take to heart our obligation to care for our community,” Ridley said. “Our goal is to make a difference when it’s needed most, and we hope our gift can inspire others to help or ask how they can contribute to this critical mission.”
The money is intended to “ensure immediate access to essential services and resources available throughout greater Augusta,” the release said.
Few organizations in the golf world have the financial power to make an in-kind donation of $5 million overnight, but Augusta National is not most organizations. Under Ridley, the famous club and host of the Masters has taken a more public role in supporting causes that align with its values ​​in the hope that the club’s public status will help attract additional support for the effort – a strategy that Ridley referred during his annual press conference in April as “one plus one equals three”.
Helene’s donation represents a painful extension of that strategy as the club and its hometown recover from a storm that left thousands without power.
In a separate press conference earlier this week, Ridley said the Club also suffered damage from the hurricane, but that the Masters will continue as planned next April.
