Vijay Singh: Driving Donations for Tsunami Aid

Vijay Singh: Driving Donations for Tsunami Aid

Golfer To Auction 2005 Buick Rainier/Golf Experience Package to Raise Funds for UNICEF

PGA TOUR to Match Donation

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla., Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Fund for UNICEF today announced that Vijay Singh, the world's number one professional golfer, is auctioning a 2005 Buick Rainier/Golf Experience Package on eBay with 100 percent of net proceeds to benefit the smallest survivors of the tsunamis in South Asia.

The package includes an autographed 2005 Buick Rainier that Singh won at the 2004 Buick Open, a complete set of reshafted Cleveland clubs used by Singh, and tickets to 14 PGA TOUR tournaments, including nine where he is the defending champion. The other tournaments are: Bay Hill Invitational, THE PLAYERS Championship, Barclays Classic, The Presidents Cup and THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola.

Vijay Singh's Asian Tsunami Relief Auction, http://www.ebay.com/vijaysingh, will begin Monday, January 10 with bidder pre-qualifying starting today. The 10-day auction will close Thursday, January 20.

"At this critical time for the people affected by the tsunami, I hope the funds raised through the online auction can make a small difference," said Singh. "More importantly, I hope it will encourage others to get involved by opening up their hearts and giving in any way they can."

In response, PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem pledged that the TOUR will provide matching funds.

Singh and his wife, Ardena, have many personal ties in India, Thailand and her homeland Malaysia. The Singh's had a small taste of the destructive effects that Mother Nature can have as four hurricanes in six weeks hit the shores of their current home in Florida in 2004. They donated $150,000 to the American Red Cross to go to the victims of those hurricanes in 2004.

"Everyone is looking for a way to help, and public figures such as Vijay are in a position to help encourage and inspire people to give," said Charles J. Lyons, president of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. "We are grateful to Vijay and the PGA TOUR for their donation and their leadership."

About UNICEF

Founded in 1946, UNICEF helps save, protect and improve the lives of children around the world through immunization, education, health care, nutrition, clean water and sanitation. UNICEF is non-partisan and its cooperation is free of discrimination. In everything it does, the most disadvantaged children and the countries in greatest need have priority. To make a donation to UNICEF's relief efforts in South Asia, please call 1-800-4UNICEF or go to http://www.unicefusa.org/.


Source: U.S. Fund for UNICEF

CONTACT: Nancy Seely of The Robin Shepherd Group, +1-904-359-0981, ext.
25, mobile, +1-904-571-2690; or Marissa Buckanoff of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF
Media +1-212-922-2485

Web site: http://www.unicefusa.org/
http://www.ebay.com/vijaysingh


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