Audi Teams Up With Star Quarterback Tom Brady and Best Buddies to Support People With Intellectual Disabilities
Brady to serve as Honorary Chairman of the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port
Corporate responsibility continues to be a core component of Audi’s strategy
Audi Q7 TDI clean diesel fleet to reduce the event’s carbon footprint
Audi of America will again team up with star quarterback Tom Brady and the non-profit organization Best Buddies International as the Title Sponsor and Official Vehicle of the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port, a charity bike ride in support of people with intellectual disabilities.
Brady will join Audi and Best Buddies on Saturday, May 30th as the ride’s Honorary Chairman and Celebrity Ambassador. Together with Chef Duff Goldman, star of the Food Network’s “Ace of Cakes,” Brady will also serve within the celebrity judge panel of the first High Gear Gala on Friday night kicking off the weekend’s celebrations, where top Boston chefs and Best Buddies participants will prepare gourmet cuisine.
Brady has been involved with Best Buddies since 2003 and has participated in the Best Buddies Friendship Races, a short-course, tandem race that partners a celebrity and a buddy. Last year, Brady’s current personal car, an Audi S8, was auctioned for charity at the Best Buddies Ball in Potomac, Maryland. He had also given his linemen new Audi Q7 SUVs to protect them on the road and to thank them for their support of Best Buddies and dedication during the 2007/2008 football season.
“I’m honored to once again join Audi and Best Buddies to raise money for such a tremendous cause, and to also have my own best buddies, my offensive linemen, join me to support this amazing organization,” said Tom Brady. “I am glad that corporations like Audi are so dedicated to a cause like this one. Especially during times like these, responsibility – both on a personal and a corporate level – is a concept that is more important than ever.”
As host and Title Sponsor, Audi will welcome Brady and his New England Patriots teammates Nick Kaczur, Dan Koppen, Logan Mankins, Steve Neal, and Pierre Woods, Senator John Kerry, Olympic gold-medalist Carl Lewis, actor Verne Troyer; actress Maureen McCormick, Miss Teen USA 2008 Stevi Perry, and model Lauren Anderson.
The Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port is an annual charity bicycle tour that takes riders on a picturesque route from Boston, Massachusetts to Hyannis Port. Participating riders will depart from the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston and ride 100 miles to Craigville Beach. Riders choosing not to participate in the 100-mile ride will have the opportunity to ride 20 miles from Sandwich, Massachusetts to Craigville Beach, or to join Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis for a 5k run or 3k walk followed by a New England-style clambake and a concert by the Bangles. Last year’s event rose over $3 million, and this year’s event is expected to break that record.
“Audi is privileged and honored to be the Title Sponsor of the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port,” said Johan de Nysschen, President of Audi of America. “This extraordinary event joins the rich philanthropic history of the Kennedy family in New England with Audi’s own long history of corporate social responsibility. CSR continues to be a key component of our strategy. Responsibility towards society of course also means responsibility towards the environment and our natural resources. We take this very seriously at Audi. More than ever, as a vehicle manufacturer, developing low consumption technologies and investigating alternative fuels and drive trains is a priority of ours. This is why Audi Q7 TDIs will make up more than 60% of this event’s fleet.”
Audi has set a company-wide goal to reduce C02 emissions by 20% by the year 2012. The company’s TDI engines are the most successful efficiency technology in the world. With over 4.5 million cars with TDI engines sold globally, and the recent introduction of the 2009 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI to the U.S. market in 2009, Audi offers a technology that is simultaneously cleaner and more efficient than traditional gasoline, while still providing excellent performance.
“Best Buddies is thrilled to have Audi as our Title Sponsor for this event,” said Anthony Kennedy Shriver, founder and chairman of Best Buddies International. “Since Audi joined us in 2007, its tireless commitment to social responsibility has helped us grow our organization in ways we’d never imagined, including raising $21 million. Thanks to Audi’s underwriting of our rides, 100% of all funds raised at them go directly towards our programs. And with its incredible fleet of TDI clean diesel vehicles, Audi is even helping us reduce our carbon footprint.”
Founded in 1989, Best Buddies is a non-profit that provides opportunities for one-to-one friendship and integrated employment to people with intellectual disabilities in 42 countries. In June 2007, Audi and Best Buddies proudly announced their new partnership. For the next three years, Audi will continue to be the Exclusive Automotive Sponsor of Best Buddies within the Americas and support numerous projects and fundraising events in Europe and overseas. Since 2008, Audi has made it a mission to engage its whole organization in Best Buddies’ cause, including dealers, employees and partners, including the installation of a job program to place people with intellectual disabilities on career paths to further their personal growth.
Source: Audi of America Inc.
NFL Draft Picks to Welcome Play N Trade to Chicago Area
13 Chicago rookies to attend opening of game store in Chicago suburb
Thirteen Bears rookies will help celebrate the opening of the Play N Trade store in Hodgkins, Ill., a store that will debut a new layout aimed at the casual gamer.
Play N Trade, one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing video game retailers, wanted to stay true to dedicated gamers. But the retailer also knew that today’s gamer was changing, so it hired EWI Worldwide to develop a new store design to appeal to mothers and other casual gamers.
The rookies will attend a store kickoff event from 1:30-5 p.m. on Saturday, May 30. Scheduled to attend are: guard John Asiata, guard Dennis Conley, safety Dahna Deleston, defensive tackle Jarron Gilbert, wide receiver Juaquin Iglesias, wide receiver Derek Kinder, wide receiver Johnny Knox, guard Lance Louis, defensive end Henry Melton, cornerback DJ Moore, linebacker Mike Rivera, fullback Will Ta’ufo’ou and cornerback Woody Turenne.
There also will be a strong Chicago football presence at a VIP event at 3:30 on Friday, May 29. Chicago star cornerback Corey Graham will attend, along with Marge Hamm, representing Bears Care, the beneficiary of the Chicago Bears.
Play N Trade is the largest and fastest-growing video game franchise worldwide. They have opened more than 250 stores with plans to have over 300 open by the end of 2009. The company provides exceptional training, support and marketing systems to its store owners, who in turn provide an outstanding customer experience for their shoppers. Play N Trade customers can try any video game before they buy, participate in local and national tournaments, have their consoles and games repaired, as well as buy, sell and trade video games.
Visit www.playntrade.com for more information.
Super Bowl Champion New York Giant Justin Tuck to Host Celebrity Billiards Tournament for Charity This Summer
Event Proceeds will Benefit Tuck’s R.U.S.H. for Literacy
On Monday, July 13, 2009, New York Giants and Super Bowl Champion defensive end Justin Tuck will host Tuck’s Celebrity Billiards Tournament Presented by The Ritz-Carlton Residences, North Hills. This event will be a star-studded extravaganza with athletes and entertainment celebrities including Vivica A. Fox, Ronnie Lott, Eli Manning, Kelly Rowland, Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyiora, and other VIPs registered in a highly competitive pool tournament, all to raise money for Justin Tuck’s charity. The action will take place at Slate NYC, one of the Big Apple’s premier billiards clubs. The Master of Ceremonies for the evening will be Law and Order star and comedian Anthony Anderson.
With gracious support from title sponsor The Ritz-Carlton Residences, North Hills and premium sponsor SUBWAY(R) restaurants, Tuck’s Celebrity Billiards will host 32 teams of two competing in a “win or go home” format until the final “best of three” round. The winning team will receive not only tournament bragging rights, but also a Grand Prize Package that includes a four night stay at the Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch in Colorado and the Ritz-Carltons in Palm Beach and South Beach. The Billiards Congress of America will be on hand to oversee each match and Jeannette “The Black Widow” Lee, world renowned billiards champion, will also be in attendance to offer her expertise to the tournament players and guests.
The funds raised by Tuck’s Celebrity Billiards 2009 will benefit Tuck’s R.U.S.H. for Literacy. Tuck’s R.U.S.H. for Literacy is a charitable initiative that Justin and wife Lauran founded in 2008. The mission is to encourage children to READ, UNDERSTAND, SUCCEED and HOPE and embrace literacy throughout their lives.
Through their efforts, Tuck’s R.U.S.H. for Literacy strives to educate and empower children in New York and Central Alabama by providing them with new, age-appropriate books and reading materials.
Last year, Tuck’s R.U.S.H. for Literacy held its first “Sack Challenge,” where supporters donated $1000 for every sack that Tuck made during the 2008 NFL season. As a result of Tuck’s extraordinary play, the organization raised $100,000. The success of the Sack Challenge prompted him to host a Billiards Tournament.
“Tuck’s R.U.S.H. for Literacy is my passion, and I’m inspired to keep finding ways to champion this cause,” said Tuck. “A fun, competitive summer event will be the perfect atmosphere for our supporters to have a great time, while raising money for our charity.”
The inaugural Tuck’s Celebrity Billiards is being produced by top marketing and event production company The Sandbox Inc., who has been creating signature celebrity pool tournaments since 2003. Over the last six years, their tournaments have attracted superstar participants including, Michael Jordan, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Alonzo Mourning, Shaquille O’Neal, Julius Erving, Denzel Washington, Jay-Z, Tony Parker and Eva Longoria Parker, Alicia Keys, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Ludacris, Reggie Bush, Kim Kardashian and many more.
Tables and teams are still available for the event. A portion of team and table sales are tax deductible and the proceeds will benefit Tuck’s R.U.S.H. for Literacy. For more information on participation, interested parties should email celebritybilliards@justintuck.com.
Source: Tuck’s R.U.S.H. for Literacy
NFL Hall of Fame Quarterback John Elway Headlines Benefit Golf Tournament for Sheetz Family Charities
With a little help from some key players, Sheetz, Inc. will host its 11th “For the Kidz” Golf Classic May 17-18 at Firestone Country club in Akron, Ohio raising more than $500,000 to provide underprivileged children a more meaningful Christmas holiday.
Former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway will attend together with other celebrity guests that include Coach Lou Holtz, former Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens defensive back, Rod Woodson, and former MLB manager, Whitey Herzog.
Sheetz Family Christmas, now referred to as “For the Kidz” began in 1992 when employees of the convenience store chain in Blair County, Pennsylvania, raised money to help deserving families during the holidays.
The “For the Kidz” golf outing raises money that is used by Sheetz employees to purchase clothing, toys, and other presents for kids at Christmastime. The children attend holiday parties that are hosted by Sheetz employees throughout all six states that Sheetz operates in. Local children are then given the gifts that were bought especially for them.
“The ‘For the Kidz’ Golf Classic is an amazing event. We are very fortunate to have wonderful support from our vendors and employees for this program,” said Louie Sheetz, Executive Vice President of Marketing, Sheetz, Inc. “The continued success of this event benefits more children each year.”
Additional celebrities attending the event include former MLB stars Dave Giusti, Jim Rooker, Kent Tekulve, Rick Reuschel, former NFL stars Al Jenkins, Mike Wagner, L.C. Greenwood, Mel Blount and Jack Ham. Cleveland Browns quarterback, Brady Quinn, University of South Carolina head football coach, Steve Spurrier, and LPGA star Rachel Hetherington round out the group.
Also participating in the event is ESPN Sportscenter anchor John Anderson.
Last year, the Sheetz Family Charities program raised more than $450,000 and made the 2008 holiday season special for more than 4,250 deserving kids across Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina. Since 1992 Sheetz employees have raised a total of more than $5.5 million for Sheetz Family Charities and have helped more than 47,000 children.
Established in 1952 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Sheetz, Inc. is one of America’s fastest growing family-owned and operated convenience store chains, with more than $4.9 billion in revenue for 2008 and more than 12,000 employees. The company operates more than 350 convenience locations throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio and North Carolina. Sheetz provides an award-winning menu of MTO(R) subs, sandwiches and salads, which are ordered through unique touch-screen order point terminals. Sheetz currently ranks 82nd on the Forbes list of largest private companies, and has ranked for seven consecutive years on the list of Best Places to Work in Pennsylvania. All Sheetz convenience stores are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For more information, visit www.sheetz.com.
Source: Sheetz, Inc.