11th Annual Warburton VIRTUAL EVENT raises $1,785,000

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11th Annual Warburton VIRTUAL EVENT raises $1,785,000

Palm Desert — April 22, 2022

The 2021 Virtual Version of The Warburton Raises $1,785,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® Now in its 11th year, the fundraiser is ranked No. 1 raising $17.8 million for St. Jude

The 11th annual Patrick Warburton Celebrity Golf Tournament, known as The Warburton, happened virtually for 2021 and without a golf tournament for the first time since it began a decade ago in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual event – which was comprised of its signature music events and auction showcased online April 20 & 21– announced today the total raised for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® this year was $1,785,000 – which includes the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway held March 9, 2021.

“We’re thrilled to have been able to bring in nearly $2 million for St. Jude even though we weren’t able to hold the event in-person this year,” said Clarke Rheney, Chairman of The Warburton. “It was incredible to see people bidding on our auction from all over the country – many of whom have not been involved with The Warburton in the past. We are very pleased to have been able to reach new individuals with the inspiring stories of St. Jude through this virtual event, who were touched and inspired to donate.”

Historically, approximately 75 stars, songwriters and rock legends have joined hundreds of guests for an annual weekend of golf and sold-out, one-of-a-kind music events in Palm Desert, CA, benefiting St. Jude — and is organized by a locally-based Board made up of mostly Coachella Valley professionals. This year, Songwriters Night and the Rheneypalooza Jam were streamed online, and viewers were encouraged to shop the online auction or make donations since these events which typically sell out were free of charge.

St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Events like The Warburton help ensure families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.

Tournament host, actor Patrick Warburton – along with other celebrities who have long been involved with The Warburton – also made virtual appearances during the streams. Warburton is perhaps best known for playing Puddy on Seinfeld as well as the star of the syndicated sitcom Rules of Engagement, the voice of Joe on Family Guy and numerous roles in movies.

This year’s featured songwriters included Wynn Varble, Jim Collins, Tim Nichols and Rivers Rutherford. A number of legendary musicians including Rock-and-Roll Hall of Famers performed in the Rheneypalooza Jam joining the talented house band, SIXWIRE, including Alice Cooper, Mike Mills (REM), Kenny Loggins, Kim Carnes, John Elefante (formerly of Kansas), Jason Scheff (former lead singer of CHICAGO), Jeff “Skunk” Baxter (formerly of Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers), Felix Cavaliere (The Rascals), Steve Cropper (Blues Brothers and Booker T & the MGs), Charles Esten, Sara Evans, Kevin Griffin (Better Than Ezra) and Emerson Hart (Tonic).

“We really missed being able to see the participants who come back to The Warburton year after year since we’ve become a big extended family, but this virtual event offered the opportunity for people around the world to enjoy our epic music events, which normally sell out, without having to purchase a ticket,” said Patrick Warburton, co-founder and host. “And what we saw was so much generosity by attendees from all over who tuned in and supported our efforts on behalf of the brave kids of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.”

Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to more than 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude freely shares the discoveries it makes, so every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. St. Jude won’t stop until no child dies from cancer.

This year’s virtual version of The Warburton was made possible by the H.N. and the Frances C. Berger Foundation, The Auen Foundation, Sandi Young and KESQ News Channel 3.

The Warburton is the highest grossing tournament event for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, raising more than $17.8 million to support its mission since its inception. For more information, visit thewarburton.com.

Visit St. Jude Inspire to discover powerful St. Jude stories of hope, strength, love and kindness. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook, following St. Jude on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and subscribing to its YouTube channel.

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