February 19, 2007 - In its third year of operation, the Tidewater Community Tournament Committee selected the North Strand Helping Hand and the Autism Advocate Foundation as recipients of the 2007 proceeds from the T& J Development South Carolina Senior Open at Tidewater.

Bill Pearson, Chairman and Trustee, said, “Out of all the organizations we considered, we could not have selected more deserving charities. Both have a track record of helping the deserving in the Horry County community.”

“This year,” Pearson said, “our criteria for selecting recipients were those that had an impact throughout Horry County.”

Marti Drummond, Trustee, said, “Last year, North Strand Helping Hand helped over 5,500 families with meals, transportation, furniture and clothing, among other things. They receive the majority of their support from ten local churches and United Way. They have been so successful that the requests for their services are exceeding their ability to meet the need. They are also outgrowing their facilities and need to move to a larger building.”

Continuing, Drummond said, “The Autism Advocate Foundation (AAF) serves autistic children and their families throughout Horry County. They receive no state, county or local municipality funding. The money they use to operate, they raise themselves.”

“National incidence rates show that autism affects one in 150 children. AAF provides important services in Horry County from early detection and intervention programs, to essential socialization and vocation preparatory programs for older children”

Last year over 100 sponsors joined to make the charity event successful raising over $20,000.

Both Pearson and Drummond request that the Horry County community join them in supporting these two charities as sponsors of the golf tournament. The Tournament Committee will soon announce some exciting additions to the very popular Pro/Am, scheduled for Sept.3rd.