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For Villegas and Singh, exceeding expectations extends beyond thetournaments. In December, this pair of PGA pros, along with Pressel, gatheredat St. Jude in Memphis to help present a record-breaking $2.57 milliondonation to the hospital raised through the 2008 Eagles for St. Jude programand the 2008 Stanford St. Jude Championship. Villegas donated $30,000, morethan double his commitment of $3,000 per eagle, and Singh donated $300,000 toSt. Jude, well above his commitment of $5,000 per eagle he carded. The $2.57million donation also included Stanford Financial Group's donation of $1,000for each of the 1,118 eagles recorded on the PGA TOUR and the 469 eaglescarded on the LPGA Tour. It also comprised donations from FedEx and from thegeneral public who supported the Eagles program throughout the year via theEagles for St. Jude Web site and online auction.
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"When I joined Vijay in supporting the Eagles for St. Jude program lastyear, I had no idea how much it would change my life," said Villegas. "Themore 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, Vijayand I talked about ways to get more golfers to support Eagles, so I'm puttingmy money where my mouth is. I also can't be outdone by Vijay," added Villegaswith a laugh.
Singh, who serves as Global Ambassador for the Eagles for St. Judeprogram, said, "This is great news for the kids of St. Jude! I know Camilohas been moved by these kids the past year, and I am not at all surprised hehas increased his support to the program. Camilo is a great golfer, so I'msure his donation for the 2009 TOUR will be significant! We only hope thatother golfers join us in helping the kids of St. Jude by supporting the Eaglesfor St. Jude program," added Singh.
The Eagles for St. Jude program, created during Stanford Financial Group'sinaugural sponsorship year of the Stanford St. Jude Championship out of thedesire to provide a season-long fundraising component to the Memphis PGA TOURevent, began with Stanford's commitment to donate $1,000 to St. Jude for everyeagle 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 togather momentum with Villegas, Singh and Pressel promoting it along with theGolf Channel.
"Thanks to Eagles for St. Jude and Stanford, excellence on the golf courseis translated into research and care at St. Jude," said David L. McKee, ChiefOperating Officer and interim CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising organization ofSt. Jude. "We are so grateful for this remarkable program and for the amazingcommitment Camilo, Vijay and Morgan have made to the kids of St. Jude."
For more information on the Eagles for St. Jude program, please visitwww.eaglesforstjude.com.
About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized forits pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and othercatastrophic diseases. St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer centerto be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National CancerInstitute. Founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis,Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medicalcommunities around the world. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer researchcenter where families never pay for treatments not covered by insurance. Nochild is ever denied treatment because of the family's inability to pay. St.Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization. For moreinformation, please visit www.stjude.org.
About Stanford Financial Group
Stanford Financial Group is a privately held global network ofindependent, affiliated financial services companies led by Chairman of theBoard Sir Allen Stanford. The first Stanford company was founded by hisgrandfather, Lodis B. Stanford in 1932. Stanford's core businesses are privatewealth management, institutional consulting and investment banking forinstitutions and emerging growth companies.
The Stanford Financial Group of companies provides private andinstitutional 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, realestate investment and insurance. Stanford has more than $50 billion in assetsunder management or advisement.
Stanford Financial has made it a priority to invest in the communities inwhich it operates across the globe through signature corporate philanthropyinitiatives with nonprofit organizations such as St. Jude Children's ResearchHospital and countless local and national charities that strengthencommunities.
Securities products and services are offered in the United States throughStanford Group Company, member FINRA/SIPC. Stanford Financial Group is not alegal entity, but a registered trademark that encompasses the global networkof independent, but affiliated, privately held and wholly owned entities.More information can be found at www.stanfordfinancial.com.
SOURCE Stanford Financial Group
