Diners Club generously donates funds to Welfare Association

The Diners Club International Invitational Charity Golf Tournament was held at the prestigious Montgomerie Golf Club, with the participation of 50 players from Europe and 50 players representing the USA. A minimum donation of AED 600 to the Welfare Association qualified players to participate in this year's Ryder Cup formatted tournament.

Commenting on the prospects of this year's match, Mr. Louis Scotto, Chairman of Diners Club International, said.

"Diners Club would like to be recognized as a respected corporate citizen and puts great significance on its charitable responsibilities. This event is special in that it not only brings the community together for a fun sporting event, but it rewards the healthy competition with a noble cause. The funds raised from this event will go towards formal environmental awareness programs for Palestinian children, aged five through sixteen. The objective will be to engage children in environmental protection to ensure a sustainable system for the future through empowerment at the community level."

The Welfare Association is a private and non-profit foundation established in 1983 with offices in Jerusalem, Palestine; Amman, Jordan and Geneva, Switzerland. The organisation is set up to raise funds to support early childhood education; youth development; general healthcare and rehabilitation; information technology and cultural heritage projects in Palestine.

Welfare Association proposes that proceeds of the 2007 Diners Club International Invitational Golf Tournament in Dubai support local Palestinian efforts towards engaging children, aged 5-16, in environmental protection to ensure a sustainable system for the future through empowerment at the community level. The Welfare Association is developing a model for community-based and school-based activities for replication in several geographical areas.

Other corporate sponsors play a role in this event. Arabtec and the Cadillac brand of General Motors Corporation again participated at the "gold tier" sponsorship level. Sixteen companies sponsored individual golf holes. Further funds were made available for the Welfare Association by corporate donations of goods and services for the "Silent Auction" that was part of the evening awards presentation dinner.

Diners Club is available exclusively from Emirates Bank Group.