Bobby Labonte Foundation Scores Hole-In-One for JDRF(Trinity, NC) July 18, 2011 - The Bobby Labonte Foundation held its eighth annual Bobby Labonte Celebrity Golf Classic at TPC Piper Glen in Charlotte on June 7th. This year marked the first time the foundation partnered with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) of Charlotte to help raise funds for both the JDRF and the Bobby Labonte Foundation. The foundation also welcomed a new partner, a long-time supporter of JDRF, Harris Teeter. For more than ten years, the grocery store chain has been the proud sponsor of JDRF's golf tournament. "This was our first year partnering with the JDRF and it was a great outing ," said Labonte, the 2000 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion. "We met our goals, exceeded them actually, and everyone had fun doing it. I can't thank all of the sponsors enough and all of the celebrities who took the time to come out and play. We're looking to make it even better next year." The tournament raised over $114,000 for juvenile diabetes research. Many celebrities came out to help the cause, including NASCAR celebrities Martin Truex Jr., Larry McReynolds, Landon Cassill and David Gilliland. Former NBA star Brevin Knight and former NFL players Sterling Sharpe, Frank Garcia and Steve Buerlein also played in the event. The foundation hosted special guest, newly hired Carolina Panthers Coach, Ron Rivera and his wife on the golf course as well. Laura Maciag, Executive Director of the Charlotte Chapter of JDRF said this year's partnership with the Bobby Labonte Foundation helped raise more money and awareness for the organization. The partnership proved successful when the tournament raised 8% more than its goal, which was also a 42% increase over the Bobby Labonte Foundation's event last year and more than double the total from 2009. "We are grateful to Bobby Labonte for his partnership with JDRF," said Maciag. Bobby's participation in the 2011 Harris Teeter Celebrity Golf Classic added a new and exciting element to the tournament which will help increase awareness about type 1 diabetes. We can't wait for next year!" About the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation: |
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