Performance Industrial hosts charity golf event on Monday – WNYT.com

Corporate Initiative Aligns with Sustainable Development Goals Through Charity Event
Executive Summary
Performance Industrial, a local corporation, is launching a new philanthropic initiative, the “Freedom Classic Big Drive for Charity” golf tournament. This event, scheduled for Monday, July 28, at the Van Patten Golf Club, represents a significant commitment to corporate social responsibility and directly supports the achievement of multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). All proceeds will be donated to a nonprofit organization chosen by the tournament’s winning team, empowering participants to direct funds toward critical social causes.
Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The initiative demonstrates a strong integration of key SDG principles into corporate practice. The primary areas of impact include:
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The tournament is a model of multi-stakeholder partnership, uniting a private sector entity (Performance Industrial), a recreational facility (Van Patten Golf Club), and civil society (the recipient nonprofit organizations). This collaboration is essential for mobilizing resources to achieve the SDGs.
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: By promoting physical activity through golf and raising funds that can be directed to health-focused charities, the event contributes to community well-being. The company’s history of supporting the American Cancer Society further underscores this commitment.
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The event strengthens civil society by providing vital funding to nonprofit institutions. Past support for organizations like Folds of Honor also aligns with building inclusive and supportive communities. The unique model of allowing the winning team to select the beneficiary reinforces democratic principles and local ownership of development efforts.
- Potential Contributions to SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): The flexible donation framework allows for the potential support of organizations working to eradicate poverty, assist vulnerable populations, and reduce systemic inequalities, depending on the choice of the winning team.
Operational Details and Corporate Precedent
- Event: Inaugural Freedom Classic Big Drive for Charity
- Host: Performance Industrial
- Date: Monday, July 28
- Venue: Van Patten Golf Club
- Philanthropic Mechanism: All funds raised will be consolidated into a single donation. The winning team of the golf tournament will be granted the authority to designate the nonprofit organization that will receive the donation.
This event marks a transition for Performance Industrial from a supporting partner in charitable activities to a leading organizer. The company has a documented history of contributing to fundraising efforts for notable organizations, including:
- The American Cancer Society
- Folds of Honor
According to Sean Willcoxon, Operations Manager for Performance Industrial, this leadership role is viewed as an important step in amplifying the company’s community impact.
SDGs Addressed in the Article
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SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
The article mentions that the organizing company, Performance Industrial, has previously helped with fundraisers for the American Cancer Society. This directly connects the company’s charitable activities to promoting health and well-being, specifically by supporting organizations that combat non-communicable diseases like cancer.
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SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
The entire initiative described in the article is an example of a partnership for sustainable development. A private company, Performance Industrial, is mobilizing resources through a public event (a golf tournament) to support a nonprofit organization. This collaboration between the private sector and civil society to achieve a common good is the core principle of SDG 17.
Specific Targets Identified
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Target 3.4: Reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
The past support for the American Cancer Society is a direct effort to raise funds for an organization working to combat a major non-communicable disease. By raising money, the company contributes to the resources needed for treatment and research, aligning with the goal of reducing mortality from such diseases.
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Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
The “Freedom Classic Big Drive for Charity” is a practical application of this target. It is a partnership initiated by the private sector (Performance Industrial) to raise funds for the civil society sector (a nonprofit chosen by the winner). The article highlights this as a “charity golf tournament,” which serves as the partnership’s mechanism for resource mobilization.
Indicators for Measuring Progress
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Implied Indicator for Target 3.4
The article states, “All of the money raised will be donated to a nonprofit.” While not a formal SDG indicator, the amount of money raised serves as a direct, measurable input that reflects the financial resources being mobilized to support health-related causes, such as those addressed by the American Cancer Society.
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Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private and civil society partnerships.
The “money raised” from the golf tournament is a direct measurement that aligns with this indicator. It quantifies the financial value of the partnership between Performance Industrial and the chosen charity, demonstrating the commitment of the private sector to supporting civil society goals.
Summary of Findings
SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
---|---|---|
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.4: Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases. | The article implies a financial indicator through its mention of past support for the American Cancer Society and the current goal that “All of the money raised will be donated.” |
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. | The “money raised” from the “Freedom Classic Big Drive for Charity” serves as a direct measure for Indicator 17.17.1 (Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private and civil society partnerships). |
Source: wnyt.com