Northeast Ohio charities are getting $1.2 million dollars from this year's World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational.

Forty-seven charaties will get the money raised, including the tournament's signature charities, Akron Children's Hospital and Cleveland's UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital.

This year's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational is June 30th through July 3rd, earlier this year due to golf being a sport in the Summer Olympics.

(WGC-Bridgestone, news release) The World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational and Northern Ohio Golf Charities today announced the donation of $1.2 million in charitable funds to Northeast Ohio organizations in connection with the 2015 tournament. The announcement was made at the annual Bridgestone Invitational, Northern Ohio Golf Charities luncheon held at the Bridgestone Akron Technical Center.

Representatives from Bridgestone Americas, Inc., the PGA TOUR and Northern Ohio Golf Charities attended the luncheon to celebrate the tournament's charitable mission and announce the donation recipients. The luncheon was emceed by Chris Tye, news anchor and reporter for WKYC, Channel 3.

Forty-seven charities throughout the region benefitted from the $1,223,419 total raised including the tournament's two signature charities, Akron Children's Hospital and UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital.

"The World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational is truly a community event," said Larry Foster, President, Executive Committee, Northern Ohio Golf Charities. "Thanks to the tens of thousands of fans who attend the tournament – as well as the generous support from the PGA TOUR, Bridgestone and the volunteers – we have a powerful opportunity to provide meaningful contributions that make a significant, long-term impact on the citizens of Northeast Ohio every year."

Charities recognized at the luncheon included: Akron Children's Hospital and University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, the LeBron James Family Foundation, The First Tee Chapters of Akron, Canton and Cleveland, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Western Reserve, Faith in Action of Medina County, Free Medical Clinic of Greater Cleveland, Tarry House Inc. and WomenSafe, Inc. (Please see attached document for a full listing of grant recipients.)

For the sixth year, Bridgestone Americas, Inc., funded an additional $5,000 contribution to a charitable organization. The 2016 Bridgestone Award was presented to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Western Reserve.

"Bridgestone Americas is committed to making the communities in which we work a better place to live, including right here in Northeast Ohio. We understand the value of supporting the organizations and causes that make this region stronger," said Gary Garfield, CEO & President, Bridgestone Americas, Inc. "It is an honor to continue our partnership with Northern Ohio Golf Charities on the Bridgestone Award, which this year we are proud to present to the Boys & Girls Cubs of the Western Reserve."

Northern Ohio Golf Charities Foundation is part of a volunteer organization that has partnered with professional golf tournaments at Firestone Country Club for more than 50 years. During this time, the tournaments have provided more than $25 million to local charities seeking to improve the quality of life in Northeast Ohio.
"Giving back to the community is at the core of what the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational is all about," said Don Padgett III, Executive Director, Bridgestone Invitational. "The way the fans and volunteers of Northeast Ohio come together to support the event each year is remarkable. The result is helping out great causes through the region."

Among the guests at the luncheon were: Gary Garfield, CEO & President, Bridgestone Americas Inc.; Don Padgett III, Executive Director, Bridgestone Invitational, Larry Foster, President, Executive Committee, Northern Ohio Golf Charities, Inc., and Rick Burke, President, Northern Ohio Golf Charities Foundation, Inc.

Not-for-profit, 501 (c)(3) organizations can receive funds generated in conjunction with the 2016 Bridgestone Invitational by submitting a grant request to Northern Ohio Golf Charities. Further details can be found at www.nogcf.org.

(Charity list courtesy of WGC-Bridgestone Invitational)

1. 91.3 The Summit
2. Access, Inc.
3. Akron Art Museum
4. Akron Children's Foundation
5. Akron General Foundation (Edwin Shaw Golf)
6. Ardmore, Inc.
7. Bobby Tripodi Foundation
8. Boys & Girls Clubs of the Western Reserve, Inc.
9. Childreach Ministries, Inc.
10. Christian Children's Home of Ohio
11. Community Hall Foundation (Akron Civic Theatre)
12. Community Support Services, Inc.
13. Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy
14. Domestic Violence & Child Advocacy Center
15. Elves & More of Northeast Ohio
16. Embracing Futures, Inc.
17. Faith in Action Medina County Caregivers
18. Flashes of Hope
19. Free Medical Clinic of Greater Cleveland
20. Girl Scouts of North East Ohio
21. Greenleaf Family Center
22. Interval Brotherhood Home
23. Jackson Local Schools Foundation
24. Keep Akron Beautiful
25. Kidney Foundation of Ohio, Inc.
26. LeBron James Family Foundation
27. Neighborhood Alliance
28. Northern Ohio Golf Assn. Charities & Foundation
29. Pathway Caring for Children
30. Ronald McDonald House of Akron
31. Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland
32. Salvation Army, Summit County Area Services
33. Senior Citizen Resources, Inc.
34. Shelter Care, Inc.
35. Society for Handicapped Citizens of Medina Co.
36. Stark Technical College Foundation
37. Summa Foundation
38. Summit County Historical Society of Akron, Ohio
39. Summit Metro Parks
40. Tarry House, Inc.
41. The Arc of Summit & Portage Counties, Inc.
42. The First Tee of Akron
43. The First Tee of Canton
44. The First Tee of Cleveland
45. UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital
46. Victim Assistance Program, Inc.
47. WomenSafe, Inc.