Charleston Open Partners with Truist to Raise Funds for MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital

TRUIST TO DONATE PROCEEDS FROM ‘SWING FOR A CAUSE’ PROGRAM TO LOCAL HOSPITAL

The Charleston Open has teamed up with long-time event partner Truist to raise funds and awareness for MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital during its event, April 5 – 11 on Daniel Island in Charleston, SC. The tournament will be held without fans this year due to the ongoing pandemic.

Truist will sponsor a new fundraising initiative at this year’s Charleston Open called ‘Swing For A Cause’. All match winners on Althea Gibson Club Court will have three attempts to hit a target 35 feet up in the air. Each time that a player is successful, $500 will be donated to the children’s hospital. Truist has set a goal to raise $10,000 for the children’s hospital by Sunday, April 11.

“Truist has been a proud partner of the Volvo Car Open for more than 10 years,” said Bob Moran, Volvo Car Open Tournament Director. “As we unfortunately cannot have fans with us on-site this year, Truist has developed a creative plan to raise funds for our charities by having our players transition from hitting tennis balls into our crowds to hitting a charitable target. We feel fortunate to have a great partner who is wanting to support our local Charleston community through our tournament.”

All of the target contests will be aired live on Tennis Channel, starting April 5.

“Truist is proud to partner with the Volvo Car Open on the ‘Swing for a Cause’ initiative,” said Mike Brenan, South Carolina Regional President at Truist. “Supporting the Charleston community and the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital is an example of how we deliver on our purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. We are thrilled the Volvo Car Open will be back in action this year and are honored to play a part in bringing women’s tennis to the Charleston area.”

The tournament has partnered with the WTA and MUSC Health to develop its health and safety protocols for the event, which will allow the team to create a safe atmosphere for players, essential staff and operational partners. Both Tennis Channel and WTA Media have agreed to broadcast the 2021 Volvo Car Open, April 5 – 11, providing a full week of coverage and more than 70+ hours of live tennis for fans both in the U.S. and abroad.

The Volvo Car Open was canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Since 1973, the tournament has been a pioneer in women’s professional sports, paving the path for female tennis players to receive equal recognition, respect and pay in the sport. Originally held on Hilton Head Island, the event moved to Charleston in 2001 and is now played on Daniel Island at the LTP Daniel Island tennis center, home to the Volvo Car Stadium.

Charleston Tennis, LLC, which manages the Volvo Car Stadium under a lease from the City of Charleston, recently announced plans to renovate and modernize the 20-year-old Volvo Car Stadium. The city-owned facility will undergo upgrades to enhance the stadium experience for patrons, performers, tennis players and event management, allowing the venue to attract world-class athletes and talent to Daniel Island.

For more information on the Volvo Car Open, visit volvocaropen.com or call 843.856.7900.