Friends of Hawai'i Charities Inc. celebrated its 10th anniversary by distributing a record $1,097,000 in grants to more than 140 Hawai'i not-for-profit organizations. The charities primarily serve Hawai'i's children, women, elderly, and those in need.

Money was primarily raised through the Friends' flagship fundraising event — the Sony Open in Hawai'i. The tournament also celebrated its 10th anniversary under Sony sponsorship this year. Friends' charity partner, The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation Inc., provides matching funds for each dollar raised by Friends at the Sony Open.

Other fundraising events include the Champions Tour's Turtle Bay Championship and the LPGA Tour's SBS Open at Turtle Bay and Fields Open in Hawai'i. The Friends Club, an annual membership program that supports the annual "Drive to $Million," also contributed.

"We are grateful for the commitment of our title sponsor Sony Corporation, our charity partner The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation Inc., sponsors and volunteers," said Anthony R. Guerrero, Jr., president, Friends of Hawai'i Charities. "Through their support, this is the fourth consecutive year that we have met or exceeded our $1 million charity distributions goal. We are proud to contribute to the success of Hawai'i's grass-roots community programs as well as larger established programs."

The 2009 Sony Open in Hawai'i will be Jan. 15 to 18 at Waialae, with a purse of $5,400,000 and a first prize of $972,000.

Over the past decade, Friends of Hawai'i Charities and The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation have distributed more than $8 million to more than 250 not-for-profit organizations.