Four select, local, non-profit organizations, each focused on supporting children, parents and families in the Triad of North Carolina officially receive its grant and re-confirm how the funds will be utilized
HIGH POINT, N.C. (November 15, 2017) –The Bobby Labonte Foundation, founded by NASCAR champion and businessman Bobby Labonte, celebrated the four non-profit organizations chosen for 2017 to receive grant funding through his foundation. Representatives from Emily’s Kids Foundation, High Point Regional Health Foundation’s Millis Health Education Center, High Point Young Life and Smart Start of Davidson County – Reach Out and Read Program were all in attendance at the event held at Rickety Bridge Winery on Wednesday to receive their checks, thank the foundation and reiterate how they will use the grant dollars received.
Emily’s Kids Foundation, based in Climax, North Carolina, and founded in memory of Emily Ann Field, provides charitable contributions that directly benefit families with children who have cancer, while raising the public’s awareness of pediatric cancers. This mission is critical to the Triad as there are currently over 350 new cases of pediatric cancer diagnosed each year across the seven hospitals in our area that include pediatric hematology/oncology departments. Emily’s Kids Foundation’s will allocate its $5,000 grant toward the purchase of gas, restaurant and parking gift cards and aid in funding the Gold Ribbon Scholarship program. Craig Field, Executive Director, indicated “Emily’s kids would like to express our gratitude to the Bobby Labonte Foundation and their generous support of our organization. We will be responsible stewards of this funding and make certain it goes to North Carolina families dealing with Childhood Cancer. During the upcoming holiday season these families will realize that complete strangers truly care for them during their trying times.”
Millis Regional Health Education Center, based in High Point, North Carolina and a service of High Point Regional Health, is a non-profit regional health education center that seeks to teach school students, church groups, local organizations and individuals in the community about the human body and how to keep themselves healthy. Millis Center will allocate the $5,000 grant towards updating the Wellness Discovery Room, an interactive health-themed activity room, and create and install a new interactive and educational Magnetic Puzzle Exhibit, specifically designed to address childhood obesity, and the health risks associated with obesity. Wil Elder, Senior Development and Community Relations Officer indicated “We are so grateful to the Bobby Labonte Foundation for this very generous grant. It will allow us to bolster our health education programs by making health education fun and interactive. We are excited about installing this new exhibit that will impact thousands of children for many years to come.”
Young Life is a non-profit organization that reaches out to nearly 2 million middle school, high school and college students in communities across the United States and 90 countries around the world annually. Young Life provides role models, safe activities and a sense of significance to these students. The $15,000 grant will be used to send teens to a week long and weekend camps. Teresa Hyde, Area Director High Point Young Life, indicated “We are so grateful for this grant. It will allow students the opportunity of a lifetime. Young Life camp is known to be the best week(end) of your life and many students cannot go unless they have some financial help. With this grant we are hoping to double our numbers of students that can attend summer camp this summer. Thanks Bobby Labonte Foundation.”
Smart Start of Davidson County, based in Lexington, North Carolina, engages the community to ensure all children reach their potential. Smart Start of Davidson County will use the $2,500 grant to purchase books for their Reach Out and Read program, a nationally evidence-based model that promotes early literacy and is supported by fifteen published, peer-reviewed studies. Program Director Mary Draughn said, “We are so grateful for this generous grant from the Bobby Labonte Foundation. Children age 6 months – 5 years will receive an age and developmentally appropriate book at every well child checkup.” Jaylen Clark, a parent of a child receiving a book said it best, “Having this service offered at no cost is a gift, but the best gift is the emphasis it places on education and the importance of reading.”
“We are thrilled to hand out the money we raised through the High Point Cycling Classic and my foundation’s Charity Bike Ride to these incredible, deserving charities”, indicated Bobby Labonte. “Tonight’s event is in honor of the work these organizations do here locally to support children and families and also in celebration of our community coming together to raise all of this money. I hope everyone here tonight, and everyone who supported the cycling events are very proud, knowing that the funding will go towards supporting families in the surrounding Triad communities.”
All funds granted to these organizations came from the proceeds of the 2017 High Point Cycling Classic benefiting the Bobby Labonte Foundation. This event, with its downtown High Point, North Carolina, location offered a VIP Bike Ride and Brunch with Bobby Labonte and Friends, and Cocktail Party and Silent Auction, on Friday September 8th, as well as the Bobby Labonte Foundation Charity Bike Ride and High Point Cycling Classic criterium racing on September 9th.
ABOUT THE BOBBY LABONTE FOUNDATION
The Bobby Labonte Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by NASCAR champion and businessman Bobby Labonte in 2003. The Bobby Labonte Foundation vision is a cohesive community in which parents and families are empowered to fulfill children’s needs and together find joy, love and happiness. The Bobby Labonte Foundation works in partnership with the local community and community organizations to empower parents, families and children to build a strong foundation for children’s futures. For more information, visit www.bobbylabontefoundation.org or follow the Bobby Labonte Foundation on Facebook.