Century Club Charities continues to support Mississippi charities, today announcing a $1.5 million donation to Friends of Children’s Hospital from proceeds of the 2021 Sanderson Farms Championship.
At a news conference Tuesday, Century Club Charities presented the $1,500,000 check to Friends of Children’s Hospital (FOCH), a fundraising organization dedicated to supporting the University of Mississippi Medical Center‘s pediatric health care mission, including the state’s only children’s hospital.
“Through the efforts of our amazing Tournament Partners and Sponsors, especially our Title Sponsor, Sanderson Farms, as well as the Century Club Charities members, board, and staff; tournament volunteers, The Country Club of Jackson, and the PGA TOUR, the 2021 Sanderson Farms Championship allowed us to reach a once thought unattainable goal for Mississippi charities,” stated Pat Busby, President of Century Club Charities, Inc. “We were very excited to host a first-class event with spectators and all the excitement fans have come to expect, and that support allowed us to reach lofty goals in another year when Children’s of Mississippi and other statewide charities are in great need.”
“Today’s $1.5 million gift to Friends of Children’s Hospital for the benefit of Children’s of Mississippi, coupled with over $255,000 to other Mississippi charities, takes the 2021 total charitable impact of Century Club Charities to over $1,755,000 statewide,” continued Busby. “We are truly blessed to be able to do what we do for the children, families, dedicated doctors, nurses, and staff who provide miraculous care to our children, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”
Since Sanderson Farms, Inc. became the Title Sponsor in 2013, the tournament and Century Club Charities has contributed over $14.7 million to Friends of Children’s Hospital and other Mississippi charities.
“It was great to host our fans again this year after being unable to have spectators onsite in 2020,” said Sanderson Farms Championship Executive Director Steve Jent. “The fan base, combined with the continued support of Sanderson Farms, our sponsors and Century Club members – along with the hard work of our volunteers and staff – allowed us to create another special year for our charities.”
“Through this successful fundraiser, which is the premier event in the state of Mississippi, Century Club Charities has provided immeasurable support to Children’s of Mississippi. Over the years, their generosity has helped us fulfill our mission to serve Mississippi’s sick and injured children,” said John Scarbrough, chairman of Friends of Children’s Hospital. “On behalf of Mississippi’s youngest patients, thank you for your continued partnership and dedication to improving the health of the state – one child at a time.”
The donation to Friends of Children’s Hospital will go toward completing the funding of the seven-story Kathy and Joe Sanderson Tower at Children’s of Mississippi.
The Sanderson Tower more than doubles the square footage devoted to pediatric care at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The state-of-the art facility includes two floors of private neonatal intensive care rooms where parents can stay with their babies as they grow healthier, a dozen advanced surgical suites, and a floor of private pediatric intensive care rooms. A pediatric imaging center and a multidisciplinary outpatient specialty clinic are also included, as is a parking garage nearby.
The tower opened for patient care November 2, 2020. Since its opening, thousands of children have received care inside the Sanderson Tower. This includes more than 1,000 babies starting life in the Sanderson Tower’s two floors of private neonatal intensive care rooms and more than 1,000 children who have received care in the tower’s private pediatric intensive care rooms. Nearly 9,000 surgeries have been performed in the Sanderson Tower’s 12 operating rooms, and scans performed in the tower’s pediatric imaging center number almost 70,000.
“Being here today signifies the mission of many individuals who work tirelessly year-round towards a common goal of giving back,” said Joe F. Sanderson, Jr., Sanderson Farms CEO and board chairman. “Today we are privileged to give back to the young patients, their families, the doctors, nurses, and staff of Children’s of Mississippi.”
“The Sanderson Farms Championship would not be possible without the support of our generous sponsors, the determination of Century Club Charities and the time and commitment from hundreds of volunteers,” continued Sanderson. “These amazing partners and supporters are why we are able to be here today.”
So far, more than 93 percent of the Campaign for Children’s of Mississippi’s $100 million goal has been raised through philanthropic gifts such as today’s presentation from the Sanderson Farms Championship to Friends of Children’s Hospital. In 2016, Friends of Children’s Hospital pledged $20 million to the campaign.
“Century Club Charities and the Sanderson Farms Championship have proven their commitment to children’s health care yet again,” said Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine. “The millions of dollars raised through the Sanderson Farms Championship provide invaluable support of world-class health care close to home for Mississippi’s families. We are so grateful for this ongoing contribution.”
Photo Highlights
About the Sanderson Farms Championship
The Sanderson Farms Championship is an annual stop on the PGA TOUR hosted by Century Club Charities, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to promote the game of golf for the benefit of charity. The tournament’s primary beneficiary is Friends of Children’s Hospital. The tournament has been part of the PGA TOUR schedule since 1968 and is now in its 12th year as a part of the FedExCup. Sanderson Farms (NASDAQ:SAFM), the nation’s third largest poultry producer based in Laurel, Miss., is the title sponsor.
About Century Club Charities
Century Club Charities is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to promote the game of golf for the benefit of Mississippi charities. Since 1994, Century Club Charities has served as the host organization for Mississippi’s PGA TOUR event, helping to raise over $21 million for statewide charities.
About Sanderson Farms
Sanderson Farms, Inc., founded in 1947, is engaged in the production, processing, marketing and distribution of fresh and frozen chicken and other prepared food items. Employing more than 17,000 employees in operations spanning five states and 17 cities, Sanderson Farms is the third largest poultry producer in the United States. As a company, Sanderson Farms is committed to adopting a fresh approach in everything that we do, not only where products are concerned, but companywide, as well. Though the company has grown in size, it still adheres to the same hometown values of honesty, integrity and innovation that were established when the Sanderson family founded the company.
About Children’s of Mississippi
Children’s of Mississippi, part of the University of Mississippi Medical Center, encompasses all of the pediatric services available at UMMC and at clinical sites throughout Mississippi. At the heart of these services is the state’s only hospital devoted exclusively to the care and treatment of sick and injured children. The Children’s of Mississippi network brings specialized clinical care for children to communities across the state, making it easier for families to get the treatment they need closer to home.
About the University of Mississippi Medical Center
UMMC is the state’s only academic medical center. Its education, research and health care missions share the objectives of improving the health of the state’s population and eliminating health disparities.
Located in Jackson, UMMC encompasses seven health science schools, including medicine, nursing, health related professions, dentistry, pharmacy, graduate studies and population health. The Medical Center’s health care enterprise includes the state’s only Level I trauma center, only children’s hospital, and only organ and bone marrow transplant program. The Medical Center also is home to a Telehealth Center of Excellence, one of two in the nation.
About Friends of Children’s Hospital
Friends of Children’s Hospital is a nonprofit organization benefiting Children’s of Mississippi at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Founded in 1989, Friends works to support and promote Mississippi’s only hospital designed and equipped specifically for the care and treatment of sick or injured children. Their goal is to raise money for state-of-the-art equipment, facilities and services for all pediatric patients by building a statewide base of community support. Voluntarism, fundraising events and awareness efforts make it possible for Friends to help the Children’s Hospital meet the EXTRAordinary needs of caring for its patients. Please visit friendsofch.org for more information.
Tournament officials at the Sanderson Farms Championship are excited to announce that the 2022 Women’s Day promises be an action-packed day with keynote speaker – and one of the Sports Illustrated 100 most influential NFL figures of all time – Sarah Thomas. A Pascagoula, MS native, Sarah will share her story of how she became the first full-time female official in NFL history and how her history-making event has opened doors for other women to follow in her footsteps.
