The
Els for Autism Foundation has teamed up with BirdieBox to launch the "Els for Autism Box," a limited-edition collection of golf related products associated with Els for Autism’s founder, the smooth-swinging South African golfer, Ernie Els.
BirdieBox will officially debut the package during Autism Awareness Month at their pop-up retail store in Augusta, GA, today through Sunday, April 12th. A percentage of proceeds will be donated to the foundation started in 2009 by Els and his wife Liezl after their son Ben was diagnosed with the disorder.
"Our foundation is committed to helping people on the autism spectrum fulfill their potential to lead positive, productive and rewarding lives," Els says, "And we are delighted that BirdieBox, along with my partners, have developed this great new give-back initiative to help the Foundation raise funds and awareness for this important cause. The box has some great items and the timing is perfect as it launches in April – which is Autism Awareness Month.”
These limited-edition boxes are available through
BirdieBox.com at three price points ($249.95, $149.95, $79.95) and will include an extraordinary assortment of golf gear with a total value nearly double the retail cost. Among the items included are TaylorMade TOUR Preferred balls, special-edition “Els for Autism” Daphne’s head cover, Els Collection polo, Zero Restriction outerwear, Stable 26 socks and an I-ONICS Power Sport band.
BirdieBox’s donation will help fund a state-of-the-art autism center and hub of worldwide operations for Els for Autism, The Els Center of Excellence. Groundbreaking for the Center took place last year and the first components are due to open in August 2015. Once complete, the Center will provide on-site education for 300 children on the autism spectrum ages 3-21. It will also bring together the critical components of early intervention, transition to adulthood, medical and professional services, and adult services all on one campus. Committed to a global mission, the Center has been designed to facilitate a multi-faceted global outreach program focused on the sharing of best practices and programs with the global autism community and beyond.
“It is estimated that 1 in 68 children in the U.S. will be diagnosed with autism, a truly staggering figure highlighting the millions of individuals and families affected by the disorder,” says Pat DePirro, CEO of BirdieBox. “We strongly believe in the Els for Autism Foundation and proudly stand by its side as it strives to make a positive difference to the lives of those affected by autism and their families.”
A turnkey solution for club, corporate and charity golf outings, BirdieBox offers event organizers a wide variety of packages for all budgets and tastes. These include numerous pre-configured options and prize boxes, or customers can totally customize their order by selecting from a diverse assortment of premium golf, lifestyle and nutritional products. The exterior of each event box can be handsomely designed to showcase specific logos, imagery and messaging. Brand exposure can be furthered by inclusion of logoed golf balls, apparel, headwear, accessories or other items.
Beyond the company’s event services, personal monthly subscriptions that remove the hassle from shopping and gift-giving are available at BirdieBox.com. Packages include a selection of the hottest golf, lifestyle and nutritional items from major brands. Offered in one-, three-, six- and 12-month options, subscriptions start at $49.95 per month while retail value of each delivery is $100 or more.
The Els for Autism Foundation was established in 2009 by Ernie and Liezl Els to focus on the issue of autism. The Els son Ben is profoundly impacted by the disorder, which affects 1 in 68 children in the U.S.
The Foundation’s overarching mission is to helping people on the autism spectrum fulfill their potential to lead positive, productive and rewarding lives. In the U.S., to help fulfill its mission Els for Autism is currently building a state-of-the-art Center of Excellence in Jupiter, FL, on a 26 acre campus with a local, national and global reach and is in the middle of a capital campaign to finance the development. Once completed, the Center will host a uniquely designed, on-site educational program for 300 children on the autism spectrum ages 3-21 and bring together the critical components of early intervention, education, applied research, transition to adulthood, medical and professional services, and adult services all on one campus. Having all the essential components on one campus, with the integrated programing and continuity of service that this allows, will not only be a game-changer for the children in the local area, but positions the Center as the perfect hub for a global outreach program; that will ensure its influence is felt far beyond the boundaries of its walls.
Groundbreaking for the first components of the Center, the Lower School and the Auditorium Building, began in March 2014. The Lower School is on schedule to welcome its first students in August this year, and the Auditorium Building is also on track to become the new home of the Foundation this summer, enabling the team to further develop its global outreach programs using this magnificent, and fit-for-purpose building as its base. In the meantime, the Foundation continues its fundraising efforts to ensure a continuous build schedule for the remaining components of the Center; the Upper School, the sports facilities, the medical and professional building and the adult services component.
Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of
Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf
