Heritage Classic Foundation ready for work, ready to give

I am writing this letter today as the chairman of the Heritage Classic Foundation and on behalf

of our thousand-plus volunteers, staff and board of trustees.

As was everyone, I was eager to return to Hilton Head Island once the storm had passed. I’ve called Sea Pines home for the past 51 years, and I wanted nothing more than to be back. I had heard the reports of the damage caused by Hurricane Matthew; however, seeing the damage firsthand was sobering.

Even more impressive is how much work has been done since our return and how our community is open for business and already welcoming visitors to this island paradise. It makes me appreciate even more the strengths of the Lowcountry.

We are proud to be part of this community. We share in the pride that we all feel in our neighbors and businesses who have demonstrated strength and resiliency. Our community has rallied together to rebuild, lift spirits and help our neighbors in need.

On behalf of the Heritage Classic Foundation, I also would like to thank the first responders who worked tirelessly to make sure our community was safe for reentry and all those who have provided resources to get our community up and running again.

I know there is much more work to be done, and we at the Heritage Classic Foundation will do our part in helping with the recovery. Like many of you, the staff and board of the Heritage Classic Foundation have deliberated on how best to help in the recovery efforts.

We want to have a direct impact on those affected most by Hurricane Matthew and have committed to donate up to $100,000 to hurricane relief efforts. Our emphasis will be on helping local families in need of food, clothing and shelter.

I need to include a note on the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing, the marquee event in our community. We, and most other local businesses, are back at work. The beautiful Harbour Town Golf Links and clubhouse facilities are looking great.

We are preparing for the 2017 RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing and expect that this will be our best event ever. Let’s make the 2017 tournament a celebration of our full recovery from the storm.

In addition, we are supporting our sister marquee event, the Concours d’Elegance, a premier car show taking place Nov. 5-6 at Port Royal Plantation. This will be the first large event on Hilton Head Island after the storm, and we urge all of you to do what you can to support this event. A successful Concours d’Elegance will be a wonderful way to show the world that Hilton Head Island is open for business.

We also want to remind everyone that our charitable matching programs will continue to serve as a resource for our 80 registered charities to raise funds for projects most important to their missions.

We look forward to celebrating the 49th annual RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing April 10-16.

Plaid Nation will be stronger than ever and we will have even more reason to celebrate.

Plaid Nation is #LowcountryStrong!

This story was originally published October 28, 2016 at 2:00 PM with the headline "Heritage Classic Foundation ready for work, ready to give."