Every spring, the PGA Tour returns to the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort, and Tampa Bay comes alive. The leaderboard draws eyes from across the country. But for those of us who call this community home, the most important number of the week has nothing to do with strokes under par.
At Waller & Wax, community investment is not a strategy. It is who we are. Our partnership with the Valspar Championship is one of the clearest expressions of that commitment, and each year it reminds us why showing up for Tampa Bay matters so much.
A Tournament Built for the Community
What makes the Valspar Championship genuinely unique is its structure. The tournament is operated by Copperhead Charities, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit made up of more than 200 Tampa Bay business and civic leaders known as The Copperheads. That means every corporate sponsorship, every ticket sold, and every volunteer hour worked flows directly back into the community.
The numbers from the 2026 tournament speak for themselves:
- $1,643,225 raised for local causes in 2026, another record-setting year.
- Nearly 100 Charities across the Tampa Bay region received vital financial support.
- More than $54 Million raised for our community since Copperhead Charities’ inception in 1977.
From Habitat for Humanity and Tampa General Hospital Foundation to veterans’ programs and every local First Tee chapter, the reach of this tournament touches nearly every corner of our region.
Seeing It Firsthand: The “Paint the Town Positive” Caravan
Statistics only tell part of the story. To truly understand the depth of this tournament’s impact, you have to see it in person, and that is exactly what the annual “Paint the Town Positive” Charity Caravan makes possible.
This year, the caravan visited nearly 100 charities throughout the Tampa Bay area, with tournament leadership on the road alongside community supporters the entire way. The 2026 announcement was made at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, with General Chair Rondé Barber and special guest Jon Gruden on hand to celebrate the milestone with the organizations that benefit most.
Our own Jon Wax was proud to continue his tradition of joining the caravan, not just to witness the check presentations, but to spend meaningful time with the volunteers, staff, and beneficiaries whose daily lives are made better because of this community’s generosity. It is the kind of experience that puts everything in perspective.
Our Commitment Has Not Changed. If Anything, It Has Grown.
The legacy of the Valspar Championship is woven into the fabric of this region. Medical services. Youth development. Veterans’ support. Educational programs. The breadth of what Copperhead Charities touches is remarkable, and it is why we are proud to stand behind this event year after year.
At Waller & Wax, we believe that a vibrant, supported community is the best investment we can make. As we look ahead to the 2027 tournament, we remain committed to the organizations, leaders, and events that help Tampa Bay not just survive, but truly thrive.
To learn more about Copperhead Charities and the Valspar Championship’s charitable mission, visit valsparchampionship.com.