DENVER, CO - Aimco's 9th annual charity golf tournament yielded record amounts to benefit the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, which assists family members who have lost a loved one in the line of duty, and Project Sanctuary, which helps military personnel reunite with their families after overseas duty. Each organization received a donation of $100,000 raised in the annual event sponsored by Aimco Cares, the philanthropic arm of Apartment Investment and Management Company (Aimco), and presented by RE/MAX.
Aimco Chief Administrative Officer Miles Cortez made a special presentation to Project Sanctuary representatives on September 17th at the Army Reserve Center on the former Fitzsimmons Army Base in Aurora, Colorado. During a September 18th ceremony at the Army and Navy Club in Washington, D.C. Cortez presented the donation to TAPS Founder and Chairman Bonnie Carroll.
"Aimco Cares is proud of its partnership with both of these outstanding organizations - Project Sanctuary whose mission is to help returning soldiers adjust to civilian life, and TAPS, an organization that is on-call 24/7 to provide critical services such as grief counseling, peer support and children's summer camps for the families whose loved ones have made the ultimate sacrifice," said Cortez. "Honoring the valiant men and women who serve our country and supporting their families are priorities for our company and help define the core values of our corporate citizenship."
"Aimco's donation comes at a crucial time, as our military servicemen and women transition back into our communities and unemployment, divorce and suicide rates are at all-time highs." said Project Sanctuary Executive Director and Founder Heather Ehle. "This money will positively impact thousands of lives and hundreds of communities."
"TAPS is very pleased and gratified to have Aimco as a champion in supporting our mission to provide emotional support and ongoing assistance to spouses and children grieving their loss," said Carroll. "A terrific partner for five years now, we truly appreciate Aimco's strong commitment to our families."
Project Sanctuary is a national nonprofit that helps military personnel reunite with their families by providing a unique, two-year program beginning with an all-expense- paid, six-day therapeutic retreat in Colorado.
Founded out of tragedy in 1994, TAPS offers military families comfort and care through comprehensive services and programs including peer based emotional support, case work assistance, crisis intervention, and grief and trauma resources. TAPS has assisted over 35,000 surviving family members, casualty officers and caregivers.
Since its inception, the annual golf classic has raised nearly $2 million for charitable causes, with the 2012 event achieving record results. This year's additional tournament beneficiary is the Aimco Cares Opportunity Scholarship Fund which provides financial assistance to college-bound students living in affordable housing. The scholarship program is administered by the National Leased Housing Association Education Fund.
More than 120 golfers participated in the 2012 charity tournament with more than 84 companies providing sponsorships to raise funds for the event held yesterday at Sanctuary Golf Course in Sedalia, Colorado. Platinum sponsors, contributing $10,000 or more were Apartment Guide, the tournament's largest contributor; Apartment Finder; Apartment Realty Advisors; Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck; CBRE; Conserve; Cushman & Wakefield; Harris Winick, LLP; Hosting.com; Institutional Property Advisors; Jones Lang LaSalle; Karndean Design Flooring; Kutak Rock LLP; Lockton; Quantum; Real Page; Southeast Apartment Partners; Transwestern; and Wilmar.
Aimco is one of the country's largest owners and operators of apartments, with 344 communities serving approximately 250,000 residents in 30 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Aimco common shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol AIV and are included in the S&P 500.