K.J Choi Foundation Pledges US$100,000 To Hurricane Harvey Relief
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2017-09-04
(Photo/PGA TOUR Charities)
(Doug Milne/PGA TOUR Charities) — As the winner of eight events on the PGA TOUR, South Korea’s K.J. Choi is no stranger to the winner’s circle. As former Texas resident, he’s also no stranger to the Houston area where he lived.
And to Choi, there is also nothing vague, no gray area, when it comes to helping those in need.
After seeing the devastation which descended upon Texas with the arrival of Hurricane Harvey, Choi’s heart and mind were far from the golf course.
On August 29, Choi held a New York/New Jersey fundraising event, originally designed to raise money for the K.J. Choi Foundation. It marked the second straight year of the annual event being held in the northeast.
Upon completion of the Tuesday outing, Choi suggested to the participants that all proceeds raised from the day be donated to the families impacted by Hurricane Harvey. The decision was unanimous. Everyone agreed that providing support for the city of Houston was a more urgent need and could be used for “immediate and effective” relief of those directly impacted.
In addition, Choi put up $100,000 from the K.J. Choi Foundation’s existing budget.
“I was a Houston resident from 2000 to 2009,” said 2011 PLAYERS Championship winner K.J. Choi. “The city has a special place in my heart as I won seven PGA TOUR events during my time there, and also had the honor of being the ambassador for the Houston Tourism Bureau for several years. Watching all the chaos and devastation from hurricane Harvey, I immediately felt the need to get involved and support the residents of Houston impacted by this natural disaster. I want to send my love and prayers out to the resilient people of Houston and hope that this $100,000 donation helps as many families as possible through their recovery.”
"The American Red Cross is grateful that KJ Choi has donated $100,000 to support children and families impacted by Hurricane Harvey,” said Anna Trefethen, Vice President Humanitarian Services Southeast & Caribbean Division. “Tens of thousands of individuals are currently staying in Red Cross shelters throughout Texas and these dollars will help to provide families with meals, cots, blankets and comfort kits."
In 2007, Choi established the K.J. Choi Foundation for those needing assistance in Korean domestic and International communities. He places special emphasis on helping underprivileged children, with the goal of setting them up with hopes and dreams of their own. Junior golf programs for less fortunate kids are an integral part of Choi’s mission.
With his donation this week to the victims of Hurricane Harvey, the big, charitable heart of Choi and his wife Kim transcends into all communities, home and abroad. In February 2010, Choi donated more than $100,000 to the victims of Haiti’s earthquake.
“For the happiness of children, the communities that we live in, and for all of our future,” is the motto on Choi's website.
With his financial commitment this week, Choi is helping those three elements in a tarnished – but not beaten – area of the United States.