Western & Southern Financial Group Masters
Cincinnati in the summer. It's hot, but it's a cool place to be if you love professional tennis. Every August, fans from near and far travel here to experience world-class tennis.
The annual tennis event had its start as the Cincinnati Open in 1899. Now known as the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters, the tournament began making charitable donations to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in 1974. "We've had the opportunity to partner with a wonderful institution, one our fans have a great love for," says tournament director Paul Flory. "We're very proud of the relationship."
The gifts from the tournament have exceeded $300,000 a year for the last six years, bringing the total contributions to more than $5.6 million. "For everyone around here, presenting the check is a great way to end one year and begin the next," comments Phillip Smith, the tournament's director of marketing and communications. "It's very meaningful working for something that does so much good."
Proceeds from the 1987 tournament helped Cincinnati Children's establish the Long-Term Survivor Program, which provides ongoing care for children who are five years from diagnosis with cancer and have been off treatment for two or more years. Proceeds from the 2003 tournament contributed $302,750 to this program.
"It's been heartwarming for us to meet some of these cancer survivors, who are unbelievably brave," says Flory. "We can see that our money is going to something of great value."
