Musicians, professional athletes and golf enthusiasts will gather on Tuesday, May 20 for the NEEDTOBREATHE Classic presented by Commonwealth Cares Foundation. Registration is now open for the annual golf tournament benefiting Charleston area nonprofit Palmetto Medical Initiative (PMI). Band members of NEEDTOBREATHE – Bear Rinehart, Bo Rinehart and Seth Bolt – are long-time supporters of PMI and, last year, decided to lend their name to Commonwealth Cares Foundation’s annual golf tournament.
The band raised more than $100,000 for PMI through last year's tournament and additional fundraising endeavors. PMI is building sustainable medical clinics around the world, including Uganda and Nicaragua, and recently announced plans to expand its efforts into Burundi. The proceeds from the 2013 NEEDTOBREATHE Classic were used to construct a medical clinic in El Viejo, Nicaragua, which was dedicated in January 2014. This year’s tournament proceeds will benefit another East African clinic in Uganda, with work slated to begin in January 2015.
“Investing in something bigger than oneself and one's talents is something we all have a quiet desire for but rarely get to experience. My trip to Uganda with PMI in December 2011 was a small glimpse into the critical needs and important work that PMI is undertaking,” said Bear Rinehart of NEEDTOBREATHE. “PMI has done a brilliant job of not only asking the right questions, but also finding and committing to answers that work.”
Additional celebrity players including musicians, professional sports players and more will be announced in the coming weeks. Watch www.commonwealthcares.org and its social networks for announcements. For registration or sponsorship opportunities, call 843-884-4545. NEEDTOBREATHE and other musicians will perform at an after-party concert for sponsors and players (separate VIP ticket available for purchase with golf registration).
NEEDTOBREATHE will release their fifth studio album, Rivers In The Wasteland, next month on April 15. They recently performed their Triple A single "The Heart" on CONAN, and their next single "Multiplied" will go for adds at Christian AC radio starting April 18.