Three Triad-Area Non-Profits to Benefit from Annual Charity
Bike Ride Proceeds
HIGH POINT, N.C. – (June 14, 2019) – The Bobby Labonte Foundation, founded by NASCAR Champion and Hall of Fame racecar driver and High Point businessman Bobby Labonte, is excited to announce the three recipients of its annual grants. High Point LEAP, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Piedmont, Inc. and High Point Swim Club will all benefit from the proceeds of the 2019 Bobby Labonte Foundation Charity Bike Ride on Saturday, September 7.
After much deliberation, Labonte, his wife Kristin, and the Foundation Board of Directors chose the non-profits, which align with the Bobby Labonte Foundation’s mission to support children and families in the Triad area.
High Point LEAP strives to empower children from early literacy through 12th grade who are living in poverty to succeed academically while developing skills to become 21st Century Leaders, and to strengthen their families through literacy programs and educational resources. The grant from the Bobby Labonte Foundation will be used to fund their Boys2Men program, which focuses on academics, mentoring and leadership development for at-risk boys to help them avoid juvenile crime and gang participation.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Piedmont’s mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. The grant money the organization will receive will be used to helped match 8th grade students with a mentor, help them transition into high school and follow them into post-graduation.
High Point Swim Club specializes in competitive and instructional swimming. The organization strives to meet all the aquatic needs of High Point and its surrounding communities, and has produced swimmers that have gone on to swim in college and the Olympic Trials. The Charity Bike Ride grant will help fund the Swim4Fun free swim lesson program for third graders in Guilford County schools, and allow the High Point Swim Club to expand the program to new schools.
“Selecting the charities is challenging. We receive so many great applications every year,” said Bobby Labonte. “The organizations we selected hit home for us in so many ways, and really aligned with my foundation’s mission of helping build stronger futures for children and families. We’re really proud to have the opportunity to work with all of them this year, and we are excited for them to join us on the day of the ride.”
This year, events also include the return of “The Bicycle: Art Meets Form” gallery exhibit at Theatre Art Galleries in High Point, N.C. on Thursday, September 5. A VIP ride and luncheon will be hosted by Labonte the morning of Friday, September 6, followed by an evening silent auction and cocktail party. The Charity Bike Ride starts at 8:30 am Saturday, September 7 and offers cyclists a 40 km, 60 km, or 100 km route.