APPLETON — Appleton-based U.S. Venture, announced Tuesday that three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, 2017 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, and philanthropist, JJ Watt, will be this year’s U.S. Venture Open guest of honor.
Money raised at the annual event, to be held on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, support efforts to end poverty in Northeast Wisconsin.
Watt will make an appearance at the U.S. Venture Open and be interviewed at the dinner reception held for registered guests that evening at Van Abel’s of Hollandtown.
The U.S. Venture Open is the nation’s single largest one-day charitable event dedicated to ending poverty.
The event supports the Basic Needs Giving Partnership with grants made to non-profit organizations across Northeast Wisconsin.
The event started in 1986 with 100 golfers and has grown to 1,200 attendees representing more than 700 partners who golf at regional courses to raise money for programs that help end poverty.⁸
Watt has achieved numerous accolades and established himself as one of the NFL’s greatest defensive players of all time.
The Pewaukee native was drafted in 2011 by the Houston Texans out of the University of Wisconsin.
The former Badger played in Houston for 10 seasons before finishing his last two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.
U.S. Venture is excited to partner with Watt because of his enormous philanthropy efforts following Hurricane Harvey and the JJ Watt Foundation, according to a news release.
“I am honored to be part of the U.S. Venture Open this year,” Watt said. “The work being done to drive change and impact poverty in Northeast Wisconsin is close to my heart and I’m grateful to come back to Wisconsin and personally have a direct impact to my home state.”
The event started in 1986 with 100 golfers and has grown to 1,200 attendees representing more than 700 partners who golf at regional courses to raise money for programs that help end poverty. To donate and/or register to attend the event, visit the U.S. Venture Open website. Follow the event on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
