Not to be Outdone by FedExCup Champion Vijay Singh, FedExCup Runner-Up Camilo Villegas Increases Commitment to Children of St. Jude

For Villegas and Singh, exceeding expectations extends beyond the tournaments. In December, this pair of PGA pros, along with Pressel, gathered at St. Jude inMemphis to help present a record-breaking $2.57 million donation to the hospital raised through the 2008 Eagles for St. Jude program and the 2008 Stanford St. Jude Championship. Villegas donated $30,000, more than double his commitment of $3,000 per eagle, and Singh donated $300,000 to St. Jude, well above his commitment of $5,000 per eagle he carded. The $2.57 million donation also included Stanford Financial Group's donation of $1,000 for each of the 1,118 eagles recorded on the PGA TOUR and the 469 eagles carded on the LPGA Tour. It also comprised donations from FedEx and from the general public who supported the Eagles program throughout the year via the Eagles for St. Jude Web site and online auction.

"When I joined Vijay in supporting the Eagles for St. Jude program last year, I had no idea how much it would change my life," said Villegas. "The more time I spend with these incredible kids who are battling deadly diseases, the more I want to help them. While we were at St. Jude in December, Vijay and I talked about ways to get more golfers to support Eagles, so I'm putting my money where my mouth is. I also can't be outdone by Vijay," added Villegas with a laugh.

Singh, who serves as Global Ambassador for the Eagles for St. Jude program, said, "This is great news for the kids of St. Jude! I know Camilo has been moved by these kids the past year, and I am not at all surprised he has increased his support to the program. Camilo is a great golfer, so I'm sure his donation for the 2009 TOUR will be significant! We only hope that other golfers join us in helping the kids of St. Jude by supporting the Eagles for St. Jude program," added Singh.

The Eagles for St. Jude program, created during Stanford Financial Group's inaugural sponsorship year of the Stanford St. Jude Championship out of the desire to provide a season-long fundraising component to the Memphis PGA TOUR event, began with Stanford's commitment to donate $1,000 to St. Jude for every eagle made on the PGA TOUR in the name of the player that makes the eagle. The program has grown exponentially in just two short years and continues to gather momentum with Villegas, Singh and Pressel promoting it along with the Golf Channel.

"Thanks to Eagles for St. Jude and Stanford, excellence on the golf course is translated into research and care at St. Jude," said David L. McKee, Chief Operating Officer and interim CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising organization of St. Jude. "We are so grateful for this remarkable program and for the amazing commitment Camilo, Vijay and Morgan have made to the kids of St. Jude."

For more information on the Eagles for St. Jude program, please visit www.eaglesforstjude.com.

About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. Founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas and based inMemphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatments not covered by insurance. No child is ever denied treatment because of the family's inability to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization. For more information, please visit www.stjude.org.

About Stanford Financial Group

Stanford Financial Group is a privately held global network of independent, affiliated financial services companies led by Chairman of the Board Sir Allen Stanford. The first Stanford company was founded by his grandfather, Lodis B. Stanford in 1932. Stanford's core businesses are private wealth management, institutional consulting and investment banking for institutions and emerging growth companies.

The Stanford Financial Group of companies provides private and institutional investors with global expertise in asset allocation strategies, investment advisory services, award-winning policy and equity research, international private banking and trust administration, commercial banking, investment banking, merchant banking, institutional sales and trading, real estate investment and insurance. Stanford has more than $50 billion in assets under management or advisement.

Stanford Financial has made it a priority to invest in the communities in which it operates across the globe through signature corporate philanthropy initiatives with nonprofit organizations such as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and countless local and national charities that strengthen communities.

Securities products and services are offered inthe United States through Stanford Group Company, member FINRA/SIPC. Stanford Financial Group is not a legal entity, but a registered trademark that encompasses the global network of independent, but affiliated, privately held and wholly owned entities. More information can be found at www.stanfordfinancial.com.

SOURCE Stanford Financial Group

Copyright © 2009, PRNewswire
Copyright © 2009, NewsBlaze, Daily News

Tags: ,FIN,HEA,SPT,CSR,CHI,TN-StanfordFin-StJude