More than 1,600 H-E-B partners, vendors and suppliers gathered recently in San Antonio for the 33rd Annual H-E-B Tournament of Champions, an event that raised more than $9 million to help support nonprofit organizations focused on the needs of children and families throughout the Lone Star State.
As one of the largest charitable events in the nation, this year’s H-E-B Tournament of Champions helped the company surpass an impressive milestone, exceeding $100 million raised for more than 600 organizations since the program started in 1986.
“We are honored to have surpassed such a significant milestone,” said Winell Herron, group vice president of public affairs and diversity and environmental affairs. “For more than three decades, we’ve teamed with some amazing vendors, suppliers and Partners. With their support, the H-E-B Tournament of Champions has made such a positive impact on the lives of children and families across the state. Investing in the people and communities we serve is what the H-E-B Tournament of Champions is all about and we look forward to the next $100 million.”
In addition, the H-E-B Tournament of Champions donated $255,000 to Feeding Texas, an organization that works directly with food banks across Texas, to help with their summer feeding efforts.
Over the years, the Tournament of Champions has grown to include golf events, but, more importantly, volunteer activities in the form of charitable work projects that benefit San Antonio nonprofits. This year, the Tournament of Champions supported the San Antonio Food Bank, Ella Austin Community Center, Family Violence Prevention Services, Sunshine Cottage School for the Deaf and Kinetic Kids. For one afternoon, more than 1,200 volunteers helped these important organizations with beautification efforts, renovation projects and children activities.
The H-E-B Tournament of Champions also partnered with nonprofit organization Homes for Our Troops to build two new custom homes for two wounded military veterans and their families. Overall, 13 homes have been donated through this event. The custom-built homes will be gifted to each family mortgage-free, fully furnished and stocked with food and home supplies. This years home recipients are Marine Cpl. Steven Bultje and Army Cpl. Aaron Jacinto. And for the first time, the event teamed with Wish for our Heroes to donate a modified van to support Steven and Stephanie West, a military family raising a child with special needs.