Donors gave $12.2 million dollars to Birdies for Charity this year, despite the cancellation of the local PGA tournament. That's the fourth highest amount raised during the program's history.
This morning, John Deere Classic Director, Clair Peterson, announced the grand total at Smart Lexus of the Quad Cities in Davenport.
"People understood that even though they didn't guess the number of birdies, donations are important for the 465 charities."
Each organization will also receive a 5% bonus from the tournament's bonus fund, thanks to the Deere Foundation's $325,000 matching grant. That was a big incentive for businesses and others to participate because their donations were doubled.
Last year, Birdies for Charity raised a record $13.8 million dollars for 540 nonprofits. The 2020 PGA tournament had to be cancelled because of the pandemic.
Since its inception in 1971, the Quad Cities tournament has raised more than $133 million. The John Deere Foundation pays for administrative costs, so all donations go directly to the nonprofits.
Next year, the tournament will celebrate its 50th anniversary from July 5th through the 11th.
WVIK participates in Birdies for Charity and benefits from the program and the classic's bonus fund.
