Phil and Amy Mickelson Foundation
21731 Ventura Boulevard
Woodland Hills, CA, 91364
Since its inception in 2004, the Phil and Amy Mickelson Foundation has focused its interest primarily on supporting a variety of youth and family initiatives.
“Family is our own number-one priority,” said Phil. “Both Amy and I benefitted by being raised in our own strong, loving families and now we’re fortunate and thankful to be in a position to help others strengthen their own family bonds.”
The mission of the Foundation und is to operate exclusively for charitable, educational and/or scientific purposes. Established as a 501(c)3, it is a non-fundraising private foundation.
“We have not solicited donations but we have received them,” said Amy. “We want those kind donors to know we’re truly grateful and that because our administrative fees are virtually nil, every cent that is contributed goes directly to our projects.”
The Foundation’s goals are met annually through involvement with Start Smart and the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy. Beyond those nationally recognized efforts, the Foundation is active in supporting a wide variety of smaller but no less important causes.
START SMART
The sun isn’t yet up on a late summer morning when busses start rolling into the parking lot. Waiting for them are Phil and Amy Mickelson and volunteers bracing for five hours of fun for them and fantasy for 1,500 of San Diego County’s neediest schoolchildren. It’s the start of another Start Smart Saturday, when dreams come true for both the Mickelsons and the kids. By 10 a.m. 1,500 of them will be treated to a back-to-school shopping spree and the Phil and Amy Mickelson Foundation will be the richer for it.
“We’re just very fortunate to be in a position to help people who really need help,” said Phil. “We couldn’t put a price on the reaction of the children and their parents and it’s gratifying to know how much this means to so many families through the year.”
The Foundation established Start Smart in 2005 to help improve self-esteem in San Diego County’s first- through fourth-graders, and in turn improve their work in the classroom. With the help of the San Diego County Office of Education and elementary school principals and teachers, children are selected to participate in the basis of need and achievement. The Foundation has served more than 5,000 students from more 90 elementary schools throughout San Diego County, with another 1,500 invited to attend Start Smart 2009 scheduled for late August.
“The thoughtfulness and generosity shown by the Mickelsons over the years has been overwhelming on several levels,” said Randy Ward, San Diego County Superintendent of Schools. “By providing needy students with new school clothes and supplies the Mickelsons ensure thousands of children are ready to learn, which is one of the most important factors in a child’s education. Star Smart students are eager to go to school, resulting in better attendance and achievement. Beyond that, Start Smart has a tremendous impact on the relationship between school and homes, which is another key element in the ultimate success of students. San Diego County is incredibly fortunate to have partners like Phil and Amy Mickelson.”
At Start Smart, the Phil and Amy greet almost all of the nearly 1,500 visitors. Each child has a list of items available: jackets, sweaters, shirts and blouses, slacks and skirts, shoes, socks and underwear. Each pupil also selects a backpack full of school supplies. In the store, the Mickelsons’ children, parents and a number of friends and volunteers, take on chores ranging from restocking items to helping kids shop to directing the dozens of school busses that drop off and pick up the kids, their parents and teachers. The Wal-Mart staff spends most of the previous night rearranging the shopping area, and is on hand to lend generous support.
“This wouldn’t be possible without the tremendous help of Wal-Mart,” said Amy. “Their staff is so efficient and so helpful to us and the kids, it’s just amazing the way they dig into this project and make it work so well. Start Smart truly is a highlight of our year.”
EXXONMOBIL
In 2006 the Foundation began partnering with ExxonMobil in the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy, an intense, five-day curriculum that gives teachers innovative ideas and tools to help motivate their young students. The Academy works with the National Science Teachers Association and Math Solutions to encourage teacher networking and development in standards-based instruction.
“Developing tomorrow’s bright stars in math and science is essential if our country is going to maintain its leadership position in those fields,” said Phil. “Our children deserve the best very in math and science education, our nation needs it, and helping teachers teach seemed like the best way to approach a national challenge that has to be met.”
The Academy has instructed 1,400 teachers from across the nation in its four years and recently expanded to three sites hosting 600 each summer. They are selected from cities where Phil plays on Tour and where ExxonMobil has a significant presence. Last year, the Academy launched www.sendmyteacher.com, a website where students and administrators can nominate math and science teachers enrollment in the Academy.
Phil and Amy annually attend one of the sessions to meet with teachers, administrators and the media. They take part in a various learning experiments and address the gathering, thanking them for their participation and encouraging them to use their newfound skills. Additionally, they appeared before a Congressional committee in Washington D.C. in July to advocate increased government awareness and spending to support match and science education.
“There are a number of things that go into successful learning,” said Amy, “but our most effective way of insuring that is to support the teachers. It’s so inspiring to us to see how dedicated these men and women are to their kids. Our goal is to show them how much we appreciate their efforts by giving them innovative ways to inspire their students, to help them understand science isn’t necessarily mysterious or difficult and in fact it can be fun.”
CONTACT
phil_amyfoundation@sbcglobal.net
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Amy has been on our prayer list and it is working. We love you and your family and will continue to pray for you and click on all the breast cancer sites: ie: thebreastcancersite.com and breastcancer.care2.com/
God Bless you all. Terry
We have added Phil’s Mother and your entire families to our prayer list. Please know that we are all with you in prayer. God Bless. Terry Brodner, Phoenix, AZ