"Stars and Stripes Golf Open" hosted by The Welcome to America Project at McCormick Ranch Golf Club

Scottsdale, AZ (PRWEB) September 13, 2007 -- The Welcome to America Project (WTAP) will host "The Stars and Stripes Golf Open," its first annual golf fundraising event, on Saturday, November 18th, 2007 at McCormick Ranch Golf Course in Scottsdale, Arizona. The event will raise funds to provide furniture, home essentials and school supplies to refugees from war-torn countries around the world, resettled to Phoenix during the holidays and in the winter of 2008.

Rich Dahlquist, Meteorologist for ABC 15 News will emcee the event, which will include 18 holes of full-scramble golf, a western barbecue, gift bags, raffle and door prizes, and drink tickets. "When I went on a delivery, it warmed my heart when I saw the smiles on the faces of the people that the Welcome to America Project helps," says Dahlquist. "This is a wonderful event that will help people that have suffered so much and I feel privileged to be included."

Each hole on the course will feature a refugee family profile, as well as profiles of active duty servicemen and women from the Phoenix area. "I started The Welcome to America Project following 9/11, to bring peace and comfort to victims of terrorism who live right here in our community," says Carolyn Manning, Executive Director of the organization. "This November we really want to honor those families we have helped, and honor our military who provide selfless humanitarian service worldwide. We want to say both welcome and thanks."

The Stars and Stripes Golf Open will take place on November 18, 2007, with a 7 a.m. check-in, a 7.30 a.m. US Military Color Guard Salute, and an 8am shotgun start at McCormick Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale. Early registration is $150 per player or $500 per foursome and includes golf, lunch, gift bags, free drink tickets and the chance to win great raffle prizes. All proceeds benefit The Welcome to America Project and the refugee families they serve. Interested players can register online starting September 7th at the organization's website, www.wtap.org or by phone at 602 820 3224.

For more information on The Welcome to America Project and golf sponsorships, visit the www.wtap.org, phone 602 820 3224, or email pwelcome3 @ wtap.org with your request.

About The Welcome to America Project:

The Welcome to America Project (WTAP), a registered, 501c3, non-profit organization established in 2001, furnishes the apartments of refugees resettled by the United Nations to the Phoenix area. This all-volunteer group collects high quality furniture and household items from donors throughout the Phoenix area, and delivers these goods to refugee families arriving from Africa, the Middle East, and other war-torn or oppressed regions. Carolyn and Phil Manning of Scottsdale, Arizona founded WTAP in a positive response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11 in which the Mannings lost their brother, Terence. Since then, WTAP has delivered home furnishings and necessities to over 400 refugee families, raised over $280,000 in in-kind donations, and logged over 3,000 volunteer hours. The organization has won numerous awards and accolades for its grassroots, all-volunteer work.

For more information, please contact: Carolyn Manning at pwelcome3 @ wtap.org. To make a cash or in-kind donation, please visit www.wtap.org or call 602 820 3224.

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