McConaughey special guest at this year’s U.S. Venture Open

The Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey is this year’s celebrity guest at the U.S. Venture Open, which will be held Aug. 14 at golf courses throughout the Fox Valley. The funds raised at the event are used to fight poverty in Northeast Wisconsin.

While McConaughey is most recognized for his film work, he and his wife Camila founded the just keep livin (jkl) Foundation to empower high school students by providing them with the tools to lead active lives and make healthy choices for a better future.

McConaughey’s dedication to empowering our nation’s youth is one reason U.S. Venture leaders pursued his involvement in the annual event. In the 33 years of the nation’s single-largest, one-day charity golf outing, $26 million has been granted to area nonprofits to fight poverty in northeast Wisconsin.

“U.S. Venture is committed to eliminating the root causes of poverty, and this event is truly a community-wide endeavor,” said John Schmidt, CEO and president of U.S. Venture, Inc. “We are proud to welcome Matthew McConaughey, whose foundation is making an impact by increasing students’ test scores, grades and graduation rates. We know a solid education is a key indicator in breaking the cycle of poverty.”

McConaughey will make a personal 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.