Daikin fundraiser continues to grow

By Paul Huggins
phuggins@decaturdaily.com · 340-2395

Daikin America started its golf fundraiser for United Way in 1996, and it has generated more than $1.6 million since.

At $250 per player, it raised about $36,000 the first year. The next year, that amount jumped to more than $50,000, and it quickly surpassed $100,000 in the following years. In the last three years, it increased from $262,000 to $311,000 to $345,000.

United Way of Morgan County Director George Pollitt believes the tourney, held annually the Saturday after Labor Day, is the largest single event fundraiser for United Way nationwide.

Rick Belous, vice president of research at United Way's national headquarters, said the organization doesn't keep up with fundraising records, but he said he has never heard of an event more profitable than Daikin's tournament.

"It's quite substantial, obviously," he said.

Pollitt said he sent e-mails to the other community directors like himself, asking them to list any event larger than the Daikin golf tournament.

No one has identified one.

"Till someone tells me otherwise, I'll go with that," he said.

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