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Three Friends: One Goal Distributes More Than $2 Million
Shark.com
JUPITER, Fla. (March 24, 2005) - Three Friends: One Goal, a tsunami relief charity golf outing hosted by President George H. W. Bush, President Bill Clinton and Greg Norman, has raised more than $2 million for AmeriCares and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF: Water and Sanitation Fund.
More than $1.8 million was collected March 9 at Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound, and the immense kindness and generosity of donors continued in the days that followed. An additional $200,000 has flowed into the offices of Great White Shark Enterprises since the event.
 | | Heavy rain didn't dampen the spirits of those pitching in for tsunami relief. |
"It is a tremendous feeling to see the way people stepped up for this cause," Norman said. "I was honored to host this event alongside two distinguished former presidents, and to know that we raised such a substantial amount of money for their respective charities is something everyone who participated should be extremely proud of. I truly believe the United States is the most philanthropic country in the world."
U.S. citizens and corporations have donated more than $1.1 billion for tsunami relief, according to the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. The U.S. government has pledged more than $950 million.
President Bush and President Clinton have been working tirelessly together since January to raise funds for survivors of the tsunami that killed more than 225,000 and left millions homeless.
Three Friends: One Goal came out of a conversation Norman had with the two former presidents shortly after their appointments as leaders of the American relief effort by current President Bush.
"I thought the appointment by our current President of President Bush (41) and President Clinton to the tsunami relief effort was a brilliant move," Norman said. "Both are very popular with the mainstream of donors, and their hard work is very much proving that."
The Three Friends: One Goal field included invited guests who each donated $30,000. Torrential rain and strong winds did not dissuade the former presidents, who suited up in Greg Norman Collection rain suits and took a few practice swings on the driving range early in the afternoon before starting play.
About AmeriCares
AmeriCares is a nonprofit disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization providing immediate response to emergency medical needs, as well as supporting long-term humanitarian assistance programs, for all people around the world, irrespective of race, creed or political persuasion. AmeriCares solicits donations of medicines, medical supplies and other relief materials from U.S. and international manufacturers, and delivers them quickly and efficiently to indigenous health care and welfare professionals around the world.
About UNICEF
Founded in 1946, UNICEF helps save, protect and improve the lives of children around the world through immunization, education, health care, nutrition, clean water and sanitation. UNICEF is non-partisan and its cooperation is free of discrimination. In everything it does, the most disadvantaged children and the countries in greatest need have priority.
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