Join Bill Haas in his pledge to help...

As a professional golfer on the PGA Tour, I face unique challenges during every round of golf I play. But the challenges of getting out of a tricky bunker or sinking a pressure putt are trivial compared to the profound life-long challenges faced by a child with disabilities or an individual with special needs.

Families who have children born with disabilities do not anticipate the obstacles that will forever fill their daily lives, and the children affected do not ask for the continuous battles they will endure each day. Currently, the Foundation's priority is to award funds to qualified organizations who wish to provide day, evening, or weekend programs for people with disabilities. It is expected that such programs will provide the participants with appropriate activities while providing parents respite from care-giving. In addition, the Foundation is funding programs to provide services for people with head and spinal cord injuries who cannot pay for such services through Medicaid, private insurance or other means.

The sad truth is that the annual cost of caring for a person with even a moderate disability can be more than an average family's income. And the time commitment can be absolutely staggering. To make things worse, federal, state and local programs that serve these families have been cut to the bone in recent budget cuts, leaving hundreds of Greenville County families with nowhere to turn.

Because I believe strongly in this cause, I have pledged to donate $100 for every Eagle and $25 for every Birdie I make this year during tournament play. We're calling it "Birdies for Barbara," and my mission is to find individuals and local businesses that will join me in a Matching Gift Program.

In short, I'm asking individuals and companies to pledge whatever they can for each Eagle and Birdie that I make in the coming year. If I have a respectable year, my personal contribution will be about $10,000, so figure your pledge accordingly. Every pledge counts and your contributions will be put to work with families right here in Greenville County.

Click here for your pledge card.

To make your "Birdies for Barbara" pledge, please email Karen Krulac at BirdiesforBarbara@gmail.com.

Also, please don't hesitate to reach out to Karen with any questions you may have. I look forward to "Birdies for Barbara" becoming a great success, and hope you will join me in my endeavor.

Sincerely,

Bill Haas