By Holly Fisher

No celebrity golfers will participate this year and there won’t be an after-party concert.

The annual NEEDTOBREATHE Classic is committed to supporting nonprofit OneWorld Health in its work providing quality, affordable health care to underserved communities in East Africa and Central America throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The golf tournament takes place Monday, March 15, at theDaniel Island Club.The pandemic forced the cancellation of last year’s springtime event. “Even though things look a little different this year, we’re excited we can host the tournament,” said Britt Gilbert, founder of Commonwealth Cares Foundation, which organizes the annual event. “Coming together to raise money for an organization like OneWorld Health has never been more important. Over the last several months, they have shifted their model to ensure all patients have access to care, communities have needed information, and local staff have the resources they need. We are happy to do our part supporting health care for communities in need — especially during a global pandemic.”

The pandemic forced the cancellation of last year’s springtime event.

Organizers are making some changes to ensure a safe event for everyone involved. No celebrity golfers will participate this year and there won’t be an after-party concert. NEEDTOBREATHE band members Bear Rinehart, Seth Bolt and Josh Lovelace are planning to attend the tournament to greet golfers and take photos in a socially distanced and safe manner. Golfers will receive a gift bag, and food and beverages will be provided.

Commonwealth Cares Foundation, the charitable foundation of Daniel Island financial services firm Commonwealth Financial, started the annual charity golf tournament. In a 2013 partnership, rock band NEEDTOBREATHE lent its name to the golf tournament and adding a musical element.

The golf tournament takes place Monday, March 15, at the Daniel Island Club.

Proceeds support Charleston-based OneWorld Health's efforts to empower communities around the world to achieve long-term improvements in health and quality of life. The 2019 NEEDTOBREATHE Classic raised a record $300,000., while the event, overall, has brought in $1,199,000. Funds of this magnitude have provided around 400,000 people with quality, affordable health care. Despite COVID-19 challenges, sponsorship packages for the tournament are sold out, promising another year of successful fundraising. All safety protocols will be followed. 

About Commonwealth Cares Foundation

Founded in 2007 as a 501(c)(3), Commonwealth Cares Foundation is the charitable arm ofCommonwealth Financial Group,a Daniel Island-based comprehensive financial services firm with a division focused on providing financial planning services to physicians and the medical community. The firm brings a values-based philosophy, offering clients independent advice through a consultative, team-oriented approach. For more information, visitcommonwealthcares.org.

About NEEDTOBREATHE

GRAMMY® Award-nominatedNEEDTOBREATHEhave mounted a steady ascent to the top of the charts and packed arenas everywhere. Formed in 1998, the group attracted a loyal grassroots following with their full-length debut Daylight [2006] and its follow-up The Heat [2007]. Two years later, The Outsiders became their first Top 20 entry on theBillboard Top 200before eventually going gold.

During 2011, The Reckoning landed at #1 on theBillboard Top Rock Albums Chartand #6 on the Top 200. In addition to bowing at #3 on the Top 200, 2014’s Rivers in the Wasteland yielded the platinum-selling Hot 100 hit “Brother” [feat.Gavin DeGraw] and “Multiplied,” which garnered their first GRAMMY® nod. Meanwhile, H A R D L O V E [2016] marked their highest chart bow yet, debuting at #1 on the Billboard Top Current Album Sales Chart, as the title track “Hard Love” [feat.Andra Day]scored a gold plaque. Along the way, they headlined and sold out iconic venues such asRed Rocks Amphitheatre,The Greek Theatre, andRyman Auditorium,to name a few. The group picked up a pair of nominations at theBillboard Music Awards,and received praise fromPeople,Rolling Stone,Forbes,and more. Now, NEEDTOBREATHE reflect the freedom of youth on their seventh full-length offering, Out of Body[Elektra Records/Centricity Music]over a rich soundtrack of soulful rock with stadium-size scope and poetic intimacy. For more information, visitneedtobreathe.com.

About OneWorld Health

Our vision is to see impoverished communities take ownership in a sustainable healthcare model, so that they become empowered to bring about long-term change and tangible improvements in their health and quality of life. Our mission is to provide quality, affordable healthcare to people in need. We have developed a model that provides affordable health care to the communities who need it most and does not require ongoing support to keep the doors open. EachOneWorld Healthmedical center offers a full scope of healthcare services to the community, delivered by trained nationals, and offered at a price point that is affordable to the overwhelming majority of the population. Patient fees offset the costs of running the clinic, eventually meeting or exceeding the total monthly operating costs. For more information, visitoneworldhealth.com.