New York, NY June 30, 2009—The Avon Foundation for Women is proud to announce that the inaugural Walk the Course Against Domestic Violence event exceeded its goals and has announced additional grants to exceptional domestic violence organizations in North Carolina. The April 28th Walk the Course event was created though a partnership of the Avon Foundation for Women, the PGA TOUR Wives Association, and the Quail Hollow Championship.

Initial grants of $25,000 each were awarded at the Quail Hollow Championship to the Shelter of Gaston County and the United Family Services Shelter for Battered Women. Thanks to the continued generosity of event participants and donors, and due to all event costs being covered in collaboration between The PGA TOUR Wives Association, Inc., The Quail Hollow Championship and the Avon Foundation for Women, 100% of donations go directly to North Carolina Domestic Violence programs, and five new grants can be made.

Initial grants were presented at the Walk on April 28:

• $25,000 – Shelter of Gaston County, Gastonia, NC
• $25,000 – United Family Services Shelter for Battered Women, Charlotte, NC

The Avon Foundation for Women approved five additional grants

• $10,000 – The Family Violence Prevention Center (Interact), Raleigh, NC
• $10,000 – Safe Space, Inc, Louisburg, NC
• $10,000 – Turning Point of Union County, Monroe, NC
• $10,000 – Shelter of Gaston County, Gastonia, NC
• $10,000 – United Family Services Shelter for Battered Women, Charlotte, NC

Each of these organizations provides vital services to families impacted by domestic violence. These grants will enable them to provide more safety, support, prevention education, shelter space and awareness to victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

This unique Walk took place on the exclusive Quail Hollow PGA TOUR course and participants walked either 9-holes or 18-holes. More than 900 Walkers came from all around North Carolina to raise much needed awareness and funds for the domestic violence cause.

“Domestic violence can affect anyone, regardless of race, gender, or geography,” said Carol Kurzig, President of the Avon Foundation for Women. During Walk the Course Against Domestic Violence we were honored to hear from survivors about how devastating domestic violence can be, and we are proud to be able to provide this much needed funding for this critical issue.”

Walk the Course Against Domestic Violence is part of the Avon Foundation for Women’s Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program. Since Speak Out’s launch in 2004, the Avon Foundation for Women has awarded more than $11 million, including support for 400 domestic violence programs in the US alone.

“Turning Point is excited and honored to receive $10,000 from the Avon Foundation for Women,” said Naomi Herndon, Executive Director of Turning Point of Union County. “During these hard economic times our agency is scrambling for funding so we can continue to provide quality services to the women and children escaping domestic violence. This grant from the Avon Foundation will be used to maintain our critical services.”

The Avon Foundation for Women is a 501(c)(3) public charity and a leader in the causes of breast cancer and domestic violence. Since 2004, when the Avon Foundation for Women launched the Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program has supported awareness, education, direct services and prevention programs for victims, including a special initiative for children affected by domestic violence. Worldwide, the Avon Foundation for Women and Avon global philanthropy have raised more than $660 million in over 50 countries for causes that are important to women, focusing currently on the issues of breast cancer and domestic violence.

The PGA TOUR Wives Association, Inc., is a Florida not-for-profit corporation organized to render support and provide assistance to needy children and their families through the means of charitable events. Incorporated in 1988 by wives of professional golfers on PGA TOUR, the Association has raised more than $3 million for child and women related charities. In addition to monetary contributions, its members have given back through personal time, participating in a wide range of service projects from Habitat for Humanity builds to cooking in soup kitchens to playing with hospitalized children in communities where PGA TOUR tournaments are held. For more information about the Association, visit the website at www.pgatourwives.org.

The Quail Hollow Championship is one of the largest, most prestigious sporting events in the Charlotte region. Now in its seventh year, the tournament is an annual tradition that brings, players and patrons back each year for an unforgettable golf experience. The national and international golf community has recognized it as one of the top events on the PGA TOUR. The 2009 tournament was held April 27-May 3, 2009.

Walk the Course Against Domestic Violence thanks Silver Sponsors, CaroMont Health and Family Dollar, Media Sponsors, Kiss 95.1, K104.7, and Charlotte Living, Official Sponsors: CharlotteSmartyPants.com, The Lodges at Eagles Nest, and the Goodrich Corporation.