Philanthropy

Charitable Missions

Annual charitable proceeds from membership and sponsorship revenues support SGA core charities. They include the Houston/Harris County Immunization Registry, Medical Bridges, Baylor College of Medicine Teen Clinic and Web Base Program and The Spirit.

Golf

The Spirit International Amateur Golf Championship

The Spirit International Amateur Golf Championship was established in October 2001 as a biennial Olympic like golf event where 20 countries from six continents are represented by their two best amateur men and women players. These “stars of tomorrow” compete for Olympic like medals and have an international village living experience at Camp Olympia, located adjacent to Whispering Pines Golf Club. Over 50 tournament sponsors underpin The Spirit and over 400 volunteers support tournament operations to make it the finest amateur golf event in the world.

Health

Houston/Harris County Immunization Registry

Houston/Harris County Immunization Registry is a countywide immunization record system for Houston-area children. Houston is rated very low among major urban areas for percentage of children receiving immunizations. This is not due to a lack of availability, but to a lack of comprehensive, readily available immunization records for many children. Consequently, many children do not receive the vaccinations they need, or they receive unnecessary duplicate vaccinations. The WHGA since 2000 has raised over $700,000 to support the HHCIR.

Health

Medical Bridges, Inc.

Medical Bridges, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to procuring medical and surgical supplies for donation to qualified providers of charitable medical care in developing countries. In our 8 year history we have sent over $30 million worth of medical supplies and equipment to 76 different countries.

Health

Baylor College of Medicine Teen Clinic and Web Base Program

This program became a new SGA charity recipient in 2008. The contribution to support the Teen Health Clinic program in Houston and a major development grant for a web based educational outreach program focused on sexually transmitted infections and HIV. The website will be innovative and informative to reduce STI’s and HIV among adolescents.

Food Bank

Houston Food Bank

Founded in 1982, the Houston Food Bank is a certified member of Feeding America, the nation’s food bank network, with a four-star rating from Charity Navigator. We distribute fresh produce, meat and nonperishables and prepare nutritious hot meals for kids in our state-of-the-art Keegan Kitchen.