CVS Health President and CEO Larry Merlo announced recently that $1 million will be donated from the 2017 Charity Classic to support nearly 80 local nonprofit organizations across Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts.

The donation of $1 million from this year’s annual Charity Classic event series, which drew world-class golfers and top Rhode Island restaurants, breweries, and vineyards to both Rhode Island Country Club and the Dunkin’ Donuts Center respectively, brings the total amount donated over the 19-year history to more than $21 million. 

Additionally, CVS Health announced the date for the 2018 CVS Health Charity Classic, the event’s 20th anniversary. The Charity Classic will return to the Rhode Island Country Club in Barrington on June 25.

The mission of the CVS Health Charity Classic is to give back to the community and provide assistance to charitable organizations that focus on helping the community year-round.

Donations provided by the 2017 CVS Health Charity Classic will support the important missions of a wide range of charitable organizations across the region. This support, touches the lives of people of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities. From helping The Autism Project, which provides vital support, training, and programming for children, adults, and families of those that have an Autism Spectrum Disorder; to supporting Save The Bay, an organization that focuses on the education of STEM learning and the protection of the Narragansett Bay; to helping the Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence, whose mission is to inspire children to reach their full potential and be productive, responsible and healthy members of society — the Charity Classic provides significant funding to target critical needs within the community.

“The Charity Classic is one of the most important ways we give back in our home state,” said Eileen Howard Boone, tournament chairperson of the CVS Health Charity Classic “We are proud and honored to be able to support the invaluable work of these non-profits to support the communities we serve in the areas of education, health care, and social services.”

Mr. Merlo, alongside Tournament Chairperson Eileen Howard Boone, as well as PGA TOUR professionals and CVS Health Charity Classic co-hosts Brad Faxon and Billy Andrade, awarded the 2017 donations in front of a crowd comprised of CVS Health colleagues, working charity partners that volunteer their time during the event series, many of the awarded non-profits, and Charity Classic sponsors.

The crowd was treated to a special performance from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence Philharmonic Children’s Chorus.

In all, 77 local non-profit organizations across Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts will benefit this year from the CVS Health Charity Classic.