Travelers Championship raises millions for hundreds of charities

CROMWELL, Conn. (WFSB) - The Travelers event raises millions for hundreds of different charities.

There are all sorts of things to do inside the fan zone, but chipping for charity could be the most fun.

You get to challenge yourself and raise money for a good cause.

It may not look that difficult, but it is.

You get three chances to swing. The goal is for the ball to land on the floating umbrella, or even better, in the hole.

Both will get you a prize, and the Travelers will donate to charity.

“It was an awesome time. I thought I hit it. My coworker just showed me up. We bet a burger on it, and now I have to buy her a burger,” said John Mackey, Lancaster, KY.

John’s friend Rosie managed to get one right on the umbrella.

“It’s beautiful here. It’s great here. It’s our first time here,” said Rosie Knight, Lexington, KY.

This popular event raises $10,000 a year for different charities.

“A lot of families, golfers, non-golfers, little guys, a lot of people,” said Cristina Phelps, Travelers Chipping Challenge.

Travelers helped raise more than $3,000,000 last year.

“We provide whatever we raise 100% to veterans here in Connecticut and their families. Active military, gold star families,” said Bob Keiser, APK Charities.

Keiser started a charity in honor of stepson Andrew, a captain in the army who was killed in Afghanistan.

They raise money to help veterans pay their rent, stop evictions, assist with medical bills and provide cars.

“Whenever anyone in those groups of people gets into severe financial trouble we are here to help support them,” Keiser said.

The big charity by far is the Hole In the Wall Gang Camp which was started by Paul Newman.

Every year the list of different charities grows.