KPMG Donates $50,000 To Youth Literacy, Honoring Phil Mickelson's "KPMG Chip4Charity" Shot At Halftime Of The Monday Night Football Game In San Diego

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- KPMG LLP, official hat sponsor of PGA Tour star Phil Mickelson, announced today that it will donate $50,000 to First Book, for the purchase of 20,000 new books for children in need.  The donation is being made in honor of Mickelson making a 100-yard "KPMG Chip4Charity" shot at halftime of the Monday Night Football Game in San Diego.  Mickelson hit the winning wedge onto the green at Qualcomm Stadium during halftime of the Broncos vs. Chargers game.  Mickelson's "KPMG Chip4Charity" is the latest piece of KPMG's ongoing youth literacy initiative with Phil Mickelson, the "Blue for Books" campaign, all of which are part of the KPMG Family for Literacy program (KFFL).  Click here for video of Mickelson's KPMG "Chip4Charity."

"We applaud Phil for hitting a great golf shot today and helping KPMG in our mission to support youth literacy. In too many communities, the biggest roadblock to children's literacy is simple access to books; today's event is part of the broader work of KPMG's Family for Literacy and First Book to get books to kids who might not otherwise have access to them," said John Veihmeyer, Chairman and CEO of KPMG LLP, the U.S. Audit, Tax and Advisory firm.  "KPMG and Phil share a passion for doing everything we can to help children in need get off to a good start in life, and we're proud to come together to make an important difference for young people in need."

In 2008, KPMG stepped up to combat youth illiteracy by forming KPMG's Family for Literacy (KFFL) program. Since its creation, KFFL has worked with the non-profit First Book to contribute more than two million new books to schools and children in low-income neighborhoods across America. To further the efforts, KFFL teamed with Mickelson to create KPMG's "Blue for Books" campaign in March 2012. The program encourages golf fans to purchase Mickelson's authentic blue KPMG Tour hat at PhilsBlueHat.com. KPMG donates 100% of the net proceeds to First Book, which gives deserving children three books for each hat sold.

"It was great fun and extremely rewarding," said Mickelson after hitting the green for the big pay-off for literacy.  "This huge number of books for kids in communities that need them most is going to make a big impact and I am proud I was able to have a hand in that."

"Our friends at KPMG have stepped up time and time again over the years to help us get books to kids in need," said Kyle Zimmer, president and CEO of First Book. "Now, with some help from Phil Mickelson and his amazing shot, they're helping us put 20,000 brand-new books into schools and programs in low-income neighborhoods across the country. These books will make a huge difference in a lot of lives."

Complete information about the "Blue for Books" program can be found by following KPMG's Mickelson sponsorship Twitter handle (@MickelsonHat) or by visiting PhilsBlueHat.com.

About KPMG LLP

KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm (www.kpmg.com/us), is the U.S. member firm of KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International.") KPMG International's member firms have 145,000 people, including more than 8,000 partners, in 152 countries.

About First Book

First Book has distributed more than 90 million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from low-income families throughout the United States and Canada.  By making new, high-quality books available on an ongoing basis, First Book is transforming the lives of children in need and elevating the quality of education. For more information, please visit them online or follow their latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE KPMG LLP