Archive for the ‘Events’ Category
Packing A Heart Even Bigger Than His Punch
With the same passion he brings to the octagon, UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture supports veterans with his Xtreme Couture G.I. Foundation
Photo: Xtreme Couture G.I. Foundation
Up until a month ago, all I knew about the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA) fighting was that 1) “tapping out” was the equivalent of “For the love of Pete…Uncle already!”, 2) there was a suspicious-sounding move called a rear-naked choke, and 3) the one fight I’d “seen” on TV had been spent with my eyes buried in a sofa cushion (I know…lightweight). But upon hearing of a certain athlete’s efforts to support U.S. veterans, and having never featured an MMA fighter on Hugbacker, I couldn’t wait to speak with him. I picked up his book (a great, candidly-written account of his life), got a crash course in UFC 101 by a few friends, and was ready for a chat with Randy “The Natural” Couture about his Xtreme Couture G.I. Foundation.
Photo: xtremecouturegifoundation.org
Couture took some time last week to chat with Hugbacker about his foundation, which was formed to “honor the veterans of America’s armed forces” and especially “to raise money and awareness for those wounded in action and their families.”
HB: You were in the military, which must’ve played a role in your wanting to support the troops. But how did the foundation actually start?
RC: I wore the uniform for six years, and although there was no war going on at that time, I obviously learned and experienced a lot, especially in terms of discipline as it translates to fighting and MMA. I also had the opportunity to get involved with some military organizations, and got to visit Walter Reed Hospital in Washington D.C. I saw the wounded soldiers, visited and talked with them. The sacrifices they make are tremendous, and I wanted to address the questions and concerns they have when they come home…like, how are they going to be able to get on their feet? That spawned the idea about raising awareness through a foundation.
HB: How does the foundation go about finding the veterans who need help?
RC: Well, that’s often the challenge. Walter Reed has been helpful in identifying families in need, which has been great. But with patient privacy and other sensitivities, it can be difficult. We just try to reach out with visits and our events to raise as much awareness as possible and also stay aware of opportunities to help out.
Couture and Franklin schooling the troops in MMA
Photo: MMAmania.com
In 2006, Couture and another fighter, Rich Franklin, traveled to Iraq to visit soldiers, escorted by his old unit, the 101st Airborne Division.
HB: What was that trip like for you?
RC: We went to four or five FOBs, [forward operation bases], got to meet a lot of soldiers, put on clinics, seminars, did meet-and-greets. So many of them are UFC fans–they were pretty excited we were there. But even more important, we got to see what they go through every day. They’re over there for us, away from their families. It was an incredible trip.
HB: What are some of the events your foundation has thrown?
Photo: xtremecouturegifoundation.org
RC: We’ve had two poker tournaments. The first was at the Hard Rock, and the most recent one was at the Golden Nugget. Several professional poker players have been extremely supportive and helped us out. We raised almost $40,000–it was fantastic. We also hosted a golf tournament in September that went really, really well. We got a lot of niche support from different MMA organizations for that. One neat thing that happened there was that some disabled vets from the Vietnam era volunteered to step up and work, and they were so appreciative of what we’re trying to do now with the guys coming back from the war. It was such a cool experience to be around them.
HB: Didn’t you also have some kind of paintball event?
Photo: xtremecouturegifoundation.org
RC: Yeah! We did a combat weekend in Mesquite. And it was so interesting because fighting/MMA is kind of this subculture. And so is paintball–it’s very competitive. So we had the experience of seeing these two lifestyles mesh. The G.I. Foundation was a really good fit for their mentality. We raised some money and had a great time.
HB: Any upcoming events?
RC: We’re looking at hopefully doing another poker event in May, here in Vegas. There are other ideas we’re tossing around and are always trying to be creative with it. It’s fun to do these things, and especially fun to be able to give out a big chunk of money.
Vets take part in the Foundation's 5k run in May of 2008
Photo: The Facebook Advertising Guy
Outside of the foundation, the father of three also made a huge show of support to autism awareness this past August, hosting the “Natural Understanding” event in Portland, OR. The event benefited the Autism Socieity of Portland and included a fundraiser right after Couture’s fight against Antoinio Rodrigo Nogueira, as well as a private brunch the next day.
HB: Sounds like you, along with so many others, have been touched by autism.
RC: Definitely. A close family friend of ours has a son with autism. His name is Ladd; he’s a great kid and close friends with my son, Caden. It’s been amazing watching them grow up alongside each other. I just saw Ladd this past weekend. We hung out, took him sledding, had a lot of fun. I’ve seen some of the challenges associated with autism and wanted to help out, so we had the event with dinner, a silent auction, and raised some pretty good money.
With our chat coming to a close, I asked some random questions of the UFC champ.
Slugging it out at UFC 74
Photo: xtremecouturetv.com
HB: Where is one place where you haven’t been that you’d like to go?
RC: Hmm, that’s a tough one. I’ll say China.
HB: I know how committed you are to good nutrition. [Couture leans toward a heavily alkaline-based diet.] But what’s your favorite splurge food?
RC: [Laughing, and with no hesitation.] Chocolate chip cookies.
HB: Favorite music?
RC: I like a lot of different things, but I guess at heart I’m pretty much an ’80’s rock guy.
HB: If you weren’t a fighter and your career could have nothing to do with athletics, what would you do?
RC: I’d probably be teaching German. That was my major. I was originally going to be a high school teacher. [Couture received his degree in German from Oklahoma State University, where he was also an All-American wrestling champ.]
Although the high school teaching gig didn’t quite manifest, it looks like an acting career just might. Couture has a slew of television show and movie appearances to his credit, and can also be seen in an upcoming Sylvester Stallone action flick, The Expendables, due out next summer.
As for fighting, Randy will take to the cage in Las Vegas at UFC 109 with opponent Mark Coleman on Saturday, February 6th, 2010 (Super Bowl Eve). I promised my new friend I would watch the bout–this time with my eyes open.
A big softie out of the octagon
Photo: watchkalibrun.com
Much thanks to Val and Scott at Xtreme Couture for coordinating the interview, as well as to a few people who schooled me on Randy and the UFC: my brother Craig, his wife Loretta, and my all-UFC-knowing pal from Montreal, Danny.
And special thanks to the warm and gracious Mr. Couture for taking time out for a chat, and huge kudos for his awesome efforts in rallying support for our veterans!
By: LBC on December 23rd, 2009, 3 Comments »
NASCAR’S JIMMIE JOHNSON: TRACK LEGEND, COMMUNITY CHAMP
To say that NASCAR Sprint Cup race driver Jimmie Johnson is having a good professional run of late would be an understatement. The man in the #48 Chevrolet recently set a new record at Homestead-Miami Speedway, becoming the first driver to win four consecutive Sprint Cup titles. But his “track record” isn’t the only thing that sets this speed demon apart from the pack…
Since its inception in 2006, the Jimmie Johnson Foundation (JJF) has contributed more than $2 million to a variety of organizations, providing significant educational opportunities, and building places to live and play for children and families through the San Diego Habitat for Humanity. JJF has also supported those with illness through the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, granted wishes through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, as well as having added people to the National Marrow Donor Program Registry through the Hendrick Marrow Program.
At this year’s 3rd annual JJF Golf Tournament in October, held just prior to the race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA, more than $500,000 was raised to benefit its Champion Grants program in partnership with Lowe’s Toolbox for Education. The San Diego event welcomed fellow NASCAR drivers Kurt Busch, Brian Vickers, Jamie McMurray, Boris Said and Casey Mears, along with over 130 guests. Johnson was also honored earlier that week by the Junior Seau Foundation at Junior’s annual Teammates Luncheon. At the tournament’s auction, Jimmy’s Helmet of Hope sold for a whopping $27,000. “I rarely give away my helmets,” he said, “…but this one was pretty special to a lot of people with all the charities featured.”
Just yesterday, Jimmie and wife Chandra awarded educational grants at a special ceremony which took place at an appropriate venue–Crest Elementary in El Cajon, CA (Jimmie’s elementary school)–totaling $922,000! The grants were awarded to schools in California, North Carolina (where the Johnsons now live), and Oklahoma (Chandra’s home state). More than 80 applications were received from eligible school districts, with the selection criteria based on basic needs of the school.
With the bevy of recent events and ceremonies, NASCAR celebrations aren’t quite finished for the year! After 28 years of being held in New York City, the Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony will take place in Las Vegas this Friday, with accompanying activities probably well underway as we speak.
Despite major career success and all the glitz and glory that comes with it, Jimmie Johnson is ever recognized as an easy-going, down-to-earth, humble guy–a true class act all the way. Kudos, Mr. Johnson, for your tremendous commitment to helping kids and families in need, not to mention your spectacular 2009 racing season. Best of luck in 2010!
By: LBC on December 1st, 2009, No Comments »
Gracing San Francisco’s Grace Cathedral, k.d. Lang Brings It To The Bay
A once-in-a-lifetime experience took place this weekend atop the Nob Hill neighborhood of San Francisco as superstar k.d. Lang delivered a performance benefiting Tools For Peace. Leaving jaws dropped, skin goosebumped, and cheeks tear-stained, the crooner helped celebrate an evening layered with peace, positive vibes, kindness, and a voice that could blow the Ghiberti doors right off the cathedral entrance.
Not that the landmark Grace Cathedral isn’t gorgeous on its own merit for countless reasons–merely walking up the steps of the French Gothic masterpiece earlier that day was enough to get my heart racing. But once inside, racing transitioned to pounding as the familiar, velvety sounds of Lang’s voice traveled down the aisles from the altar as the crooner conducted a sound check. A few minutes later I had the awesome fortune of meeting k.d., whose peaceful aura, humble demeanor and rosy cheeks emitted gobs of good energy and (natch), grace. Read the rest of this entry »
GUY’S BIG HEART: Fieri Takes Charitable Efforts “Outta Bounds”
One might argue that the sushi portion of the menu at Guy Fieri’s restaurant, Tex Wasabi’s, gives a glimpse into the persona of the celeb chef: the man digs rock music, fast cars, and sports. Hence sushi rolls named Dark Side of the Moon, The Carburetor, and The Philly Eagle Roll. But as I discovered upon chatting up the man beneath the retro bowling shirts, backward sunglasses atop trademark spiked blond hair, and menagerie of tattoos, there are more layers to the Food Network star than to the Vidalia onions used in his Beer-Battered Onion Rings.
- Grand Marshal Guy, at the 2007 Santa Rosa Parade
Photo: Press Democrat
Forget Matt Lauer. The real question is, Where in the world is Guy Fieri? Between his duties as host of four Food Network television shows, appearances at a barrage of festivals and events, co-owning five restaurants, being a husband, father, and active leader in his hometown of Santa Rosa, CA, the 41-year-old Fieri, who rose to media fame via his win on the second season of The Next Food Network Star has no shortage of items on his plate, be they grilled, smoked, sauteed, or flash-fried. Lucky for Hugbacker, though, we were able to snag 30 minutes of his time one morning just before he headed out to tape some voice-overs.
HB: So you’re a tad busy these days. What’s it like when you come home in between gigs?
GF: It’s always great, lots of activity. Being on the road half the year, coming home can be like coming into a NASCAR pit. We have the opportunity for so many things, whether requests for donations, autographs, chefs’ coats to sign, requests that come in through the website. And because I think I’m seen as such an everyday guy, I get invited to a tremendous amount of weddings and birthday parties too. It can get a bit crazy, but I always want to at least correspond in some way.
With a young fan last month at the Great American Music & Food Fest in Mountain View, CA
Photo: Fans of Guy Fieri
HB: You’ve got a ton going on in terms of charitable efforts, and from what I’ve learned, you’ve been big into giving back way before the Food Network thing happened. I read somewhere that you’ve been quietly donating to the community for years.
GF: Well you know what? I love it. If I was to the point where I didn’t have to work, philanthropy would be my biggest interest.
HB: You’re way into it, then.
GF: Oh yeah. I was always raised to share with others. That’s just the way my parents were–you help out. We’ve been going to Mexico as a family for years and there’s an orphanage there that my parents have been helping out for a long time. For the past couple of years I’ve been cooking a benefit dinner down there too at a local restaurant; we raised money for the school system. It’s been awesome to be able to help out.
Benefit dinner at Palapa Joe's Restaurant y Bar
Photo: Fans of Guy Fieri
HB: So it came pretty naturally to do so when you went into business?
GF: I moved up here [to Sonoma County] with five thousand dollars, an old car from college and a pregnant wife. We got the first restaurant going [Johnny Garlic's] and one of the first things we did was make a decision to take a charity organization and give them the night. I met with the executive director of Kid Street Theater and invited them to come in and take the place over. We invited some heavy hitters, executives, chairmen, and asked them to donate eight hours of their time to Kid Street. We’re still doing it to this day. We sponsor baseball teams, soccer teams, and do that kind of night at least once a week now, with the organization keeping 25% of the proceeds. We had a middle school cheerleading team go to the national finals. They needed to raise $14,000 in two weeks, so I told them, look, you’ve got a captive audience here. Let’s do some gift baskets, a raffle. These people are here to support you anyway–let’s make it big. People really do want to help.
Diners, Drive-Ins, Dives…and aircraft carriers? In 2007, the Navy flew Fieri to the Persian Gulf to entertain and cook for troops aboard the USS Enterprise. He even ran an Iron Chef-esque competition between some of the ship’s cooks, as well as a chili cook-off for anyone who wanted in.
Stirrin' it up on the USS Enterprise
When the Next Food Network Star contest had wrapped, but the winner hadn’t yet been announced, Fieri got together with a local DJ, Brent Farris, and organized a dinner where Fieri invited some of his fellow contestants to come out and watch the show, with people paying whatever they wanted to attend. A silent auction was added to the mix, and over $25,000 was raised, and then donated to Valley of the Moon Children’s Foundation, a nonprofit organization in Sonoma County which provides support to neglected and abused children.
It only makes sense that the man who seems to have a built-in micro-chip for crafting unique ways to give back, would come up with a totally new twist when it came to creating a vision for his own foundation. The Guy Fieri Foundation for Inspiration and Imagination is in the initial stages, but with projects tending to flourish when Fieri throws his colossal energy and contagious spirit behind them, no doubt it’ll be a Michelin-starred endeavor.
HB: Tell me about your own foundation. How did you go about creating it?
GF: We were all in Mexico–my wife, parents, sister, the whole fam–and I said, I’ve figured out what I want my foundation to be about. I want to focus on inspiration and the imagination. And I know it might throw people because it’s not your traditional-type foundation that would maybe focus on a disability. But lots of young people, even though they might not have a disability, don’t have any inspiration or imagination. Think about all the kids that just sit at home, and they might have an idea brewing or an passion for something, but for whatever reason aren’t able to explore it. Maybe their parents don’t have the interest or the money to encourage them. So that’s what we want to do–create programs to generate opportunities for them, so they can go after it. We want to empower them, get them thinking outside the box. We’ve got big aspirations for it; we want to target NASCAR and get a lot of others involved.
Speaking of NASCAR, Fieri sponsored the Tommy Baldwin Racing car at Indy last weekend. His "Knuckle Sandwich" brand's logo adorns the hood.
Photo: Brickyard 400
HB: You were involved with the inauguration of Cook With Your Kids Day, [as recognized by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger this past May]. What was that experience like?
GF: Man, it was amazing, and truly a gateway for the foundation. It’s about letting kids make decisions, having them do something with their enthusiasm. It’s a straight-up initiative now, the second Saturday in May is Cook With Your Kids day. Let’s take it national.
HB: Segueing into kids–yours–how do you and your wife balance all the craziness? Your schedule’s insane. [Fieri and wife Lori have two sons; Hunter, 13, and Ryder, 3.]
GF: Well, let’s see. Okay, my analogy of the whole thing would be to compare it to an engine: both take timing, compression, balance…there’s this whole ballet, if you will. This whole thing has been like a synchronized blessing–one I never could’ve planned.
At "We Garden," the first edible garden at a state capitol. The food will be donated to the Sacramento Food Bank.
Photo: Wyatt Buchanan/SF Chronicle
HB: And you’re passing it on to others, which is what it’s all about.
GF: That’s it, you know? There’s nothing greater than to be able to provide. I’m so fortunate–family, career, the best friends in the world–I might as well do everything I can to perpetuate it. Plant some seeds.
It was an absolute pleasure chatting with the larger-than-life chef, not to mention tons of fun. (Fun? Chatting with Guy Fieri? Go figure…) There’s SO much more that the man has brewing–great stuff involving kids, cooking, his foundation, and more. Check back to keep updated on this philanthropic rockstar’s efforts.
Rockstars of kitchen and stage: Fieri with pal Sammy Hagar
Photo: Wireimage
And how better to end than with a clip from Guy’s hit show, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. For those of you who’ve never seen it, we invite you to climb out from under your rock and watch Guy in action as he rolls into town and shakes up a local eatery.
By: LBC on July 28th, 2009, 1 Comment »
Dashon Goldson Debuts “The Highest Point” Foundation Tomorrow
On Saturday, July 11, San Francisco 49ers safety Dashon Goldson will encourage kids to reach “The Highest Point” in sports, education, family, and community by holding his first youth football camp on the gridiron of his alma mater, Narbonne High School in Harbor City, California.
Photo: dashongoldson.com
The camp is open to kids 7-18 years of age and runs from 10:00am to 1:00pm. Teaching the skills, running the drills, and coaching kids on all fundamentals of the sport, Goldson will be joined by fellow 49ers Tarell Brown, Moran Norris, and Delanie Walker, along with other NFLers Darnell Bing (Detroit Lions), Eric Wright (Cleveland Browns), and Jared Page (Kansas City Chiefs).
Goldson tells of having seen the ramifications of communities plagued by circumstances such as poverty, drug abuse, and homelessness. He created The Highest Point Foundation this year to provide motivational outlets for youth, with a mission to get them off the streets and onto the field.
It’s awesome to see athletes creating an alternative for vulnerable kids–providing hope and a healthy, productive use of their time and physical abilities. Kudos, Dashon!
For full details on tomorrow’s football camp, click here.
By: LBC on July 10th, 2009, No Comments »
NASCAR Foundation Kicks Off Summer With Hunger Walk For Kids
With the same bold and victory-chasing determination as its drivers, the NASCAR Foundation is at it again, reaching out to the community and striving to make a tangible impact in the lives of others–this time by helping to feed hungry kids.
On Saturday, July 11th, NASCAR will team up with Chicagoland Speedway to hold a “Hunger Walk For Kids,” benefiting Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger charity.
The initiative offers three cool ways to get involved:
1) Be in the middle of the action…walk the track at Chicagoland Speedway! Sign up online for $30; kids under 14 walk with a paid adult.
2) Set up your very own Food Fundraising page, a great way to get friends & family involved.
3) Make a donation of any amount online. Every little bit helps!
To participate in any of the above three ways, click here.
NASCAR Foundation’s goal is to provide Feeding America with 350,000 meals. Check it: For each person who participates in the “virtual food drive,” presenting sponsor Hock Foods will donate one meal toward this goal.
Hugbacker is more impressed each day with the folks at NASCAR; they’re always using the sport to strengthen its ties to the community and spread the love. J This initiative is an awesome example of how easy it is to get involved and have fun while making sure hungry kids get a good meal!
By: LBC on June 25th, 2009, No Comments »
Honoring The Great Lou Gehrig, MLB Teams Up With ALS
Major League Baseaball pays respect to one of its all-time greats this Fourth of July by helping to raise awareness for ALS, the disease that took Lou Gehrig at age 38.
Partnering with four major non-profit organizations, MLB will pay tribute to “The Iron Horse” during all games played on Saturday, July 4th. The “4♦ALS Awareness” campaign will culminate with the following words being read at the end of each game played on that day–the 70th anniversary of “Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day” at Yankee Stadium.
“For the past two weeks you have been reading about a bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth. I have been in ballparks for 17 years and have never received anything but kindess and encouragement from you fans.” ~ Lou Gehrig, July 4, 1939
The four organizations teaming up for the campaign are The ALS Association, Project A.L.S., Augie’s Quest, and ALS TDI.
Below is a video of the classy Gehrig giving his infamous speech to a packed Yankee Stadium in 1939.
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By: LBC on June 18th, 2009, No Comments »
Hilary Duff To Bring “Blessings In A Backpack” to NASCAR Event
On June 13th, Hilary Duff will serve as grand marshal for the NASCAR Nationwide Series Meijer 300 at Kentucky Speedway, to raise support for USA Harvest’s “Blessings In A Backpack” program.
Blessings In A Backpack does a pretty awesome thing: provides weekend nourishment to public school children in need by sending them home on Fridays with backpacks filled with enough food for six meals. The result? They return to school on Monday, nourished and ready to learn alongside their classmates, increasing the potential for educational success. The program started with a mere three elementary schools in Kentucky; today it serves over 50 schools across the nation, and has now extended into Canada. Woo-hoo!
Through her work with USA Harvest, Duff donated two million meals to Hurricane Katrina relief. This special gal is also involved in a variety of other philanthropic causes, including Kids With a Cause, which supports kids experiencing poverty, neglect, abuse, and other challenges; the Armed Forces Foundation which works with military families, and Return To Freedom, a group dedicated to preserving the freedom, diversity, and habitat of America’s wild horses.
Duff with a student from Roberto Clemente Elementary in NYC
On June 13th, Duff and 24 Gallatin County students will participate in fun pre-race activities at the NASCAR event, before delivering the command for 43 drivers to start their engines. First place finishers? The kids, of course!
By: LBC on May 30th, 2009, No Comments »
NOMINEES ANNOUNCED FOR NHL FOUNDATION PLAYER AWARD
As the annual NHL Awards show approaches–and travels the miles from Toronto to make its debut in Las Vegas– the nominees were announced for the 11th annual Foundation Player Award, given in recognition of a player’s commitment to enriching the lives of people in their community. The three players up for the distinction–and the $25,000 donated by the NHL to the charity of their choice–are Dustin Brown of the Los Angeles Kings, Alex Kovalev of the Montreal Canadiens, and Rick Nash of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Palms Casino Resort will host the show in its superplush Pearl Concert Theater on June 18th, promising to bring the ambiance, energy, and entertainment level of the annual awards show to a whole new glitzy, Vegas-ey level. But onto the important stuff…the nominees!
DUSTIN BROWN, Los Angeles Kings
Photo: Noah Graham/NHLI via Getty
Brown is immensely active in programs that address childhood obesity and the pursuit of an active, healthy lifestyle for kids. He donated $50 for each of his 285 this season to KaBOOM!, a nonprofit whose mission it is to provide places to play for all children within walking distance of their neighborhood. Brown is also a spokesman for the Children’s Cancer Research Fund, as well as a staunch supporter of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
ALEX KOVALEV, Montreal Canadiens
Photo: canadienswatch.com
Kovalev established the Kovalev and Friends Foundation for Children, which sends doctors to Russia to perform medical procedures and teach skills to local surgeons. Children in Quebec also benefit from the foundation through summer camps and other programs. Last year Kovalev produced a DVD of hockey tips and training methods, donating 100% of the proceeds-$120,000 to date!–to the Gift of Life Foundation, which provides kids with open heart surgeries.
RICK NASH, Columbus Blue Jackets
Nash created the #61 Club, which encourages students to make healthy choices and rewards them with tickets to Blue Jackets home games for doing so. He donated $100,000 to the Ohio State University Athletic Dept. to endow a student-athlete scholarship, and was a founding donor of the John H. McConnell Scholarship Fund. Nash also donates $15,000 annually to Santa’s Silent Helpers, which assists Ohio families, single mothers, and elderly experiencing financial hardship.
Frankly, these off-the-ice activities are only the tip of the iceberg for Brown, Kovalev, and Nash when it comes to giving back; all three contribute WAAAYY more to improving the lives of others than we’ll even attempt to list. Simply put, each is an above-and-beyond rockstar nominee for the NHL Foundation Player Award.
As for the outcome of the award, you KNOW we’ll keep you posted…stay tuned!
By: LBC on May 15th, 2009, No Comments »
RUEGY’S READERS ROLLS INTO VEGAS, BABY!
Take one NFL vet dedicated to seeing kids enriched by books. Add an amazing go-getter spouse who puts the Energizer Bunny to humiliating shame. Sprinkle in a hefty network of friends, family and teammates whose support has them traveling from all over the country. Blend in generous amounts of donations, volunteer time, and corporate sponsorships. Mix thoroughly, bake on high for three days in a scintillating desert environment, and whaddaya got? The 3rd Annual Ruegy’s Readers Bowling For Books.
The NFL invades the Suncoast Casino's Bowling Alley
A couple of months ago we interviewed Grey Ruegamer about his charitable foundation, Ruegy’s Readers, (RR), which supports library programs for elementary school children. Fast-forward to the last weekend in April, as the organization’s annual fundraising shindig descends upon Grey’s hometown of Las Vegas.
The festivities kicked off on Thursday evening with a private party at New York New York Hotel’s uber-hip nightclub, ROK Vegas. In the lowlit, high energy ambiance, images of Grey hanging with kids from the RR program and some awesome gridiron shots flashed across the 360-degree screen high above the crowd to classic rock tunes. Paying tribute to the RR cause were roving models fully decked out in colorful storybook character costumes. (I actually bumped into Snow White, Goldilocks, Little Red Riding Hood, the Big Bad Wolf, and Scheherazade).
Snow White waits for her prince
Friday saw the group gather at the main venue for the weekend, the Suncoast Casino. A luau-themed pool party made for a fun and relaxing time for players and friends to bag some rays and catch up on each other’s lives before Saturday’s bowling bash.
Volunteers sport some Super Bowl bling
By: LBC on May 7th, 2009, 2 Comments »
JACK & BARBARA NICKLAUS TO RECEIVE 2009 NATIONAL PATHFINDER AWARD
On June 28th, links legend Jack Nicklaus and wife Barbara will be honored with the 2009 National Pathfinder Award in recognition of their contributions and commitment to youth. The annual Pathfinder Awards Banquet takes place at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, and is held in conjunction with the Youthlinks Indiana Charity Golf Tournament.
PHOTO: Nicklaus.com
Children in need have definitely been the focus of the couple’s awesome philanthropic endeavors throughout the years, with a history of contributions ranging from junior golf to healthcare to scholarships. Jack and Barbara, the parents of five children (and grandparents of 21!) founded the Nicklaus Children’s Healthcare Foundation, which supports a variety of pediatric healthcare services in South Florida. Since its inception in 2004, the organization has raised more than $10 million, which includes proceeds from The Jake, an annual golf fundraiser honoring the couple’s late grandson. The Foundation also provides free programs and services to hospitalized children and their families through its Child Life Institute.
No post about Jack would be complete without a hint of plaid
The Golden Bear, 69, has been the recipient of countless off-the-tee awards, including the Vince Lombardi Award of Excellence (2001) and the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2005)–the nation’s highest civil award. Another honor we found intriguing: Nicklaus is the only living person ever to have appeared on a British bank note (the Scottish five-pound note, to be exact), other than some pretty exclusive–and very British–company: Queen Elizabeth II and the late Queen Mother.
Immensely dedicated to giving back in her own right, Barbara Nicklaus has been honored with the 2004 Woman of Distinction Award at Palm Beach Atlantic University as well as the inaugural 1998 First Lady of Golf Award presented by PGA of America.
Massive kudos, Mr. and Mrs. Nicklaus…for all you do for kids!
And we’re just posting this pic of the three phenoms cuz it’s so darn cool…
Jack with pals Arnold Palmer and Gary Player at the 2009 Masters
Photo: Hans Deryk
By: LBC on April 18th, 2009, No Comments »
Get Your Strike On With Jenny and Jim!
Grab your bowling ball, shoes, some friends, the coolest bowling shirt you can find, and get ready to knock down some pins for autism! On Sunday, April 19th, Generation Rescue presents STRIKE OUT AUTISM at participating AMF Bowling Centers…a day of fun on the lanes for the whole family.
Actress and superfierce autism awareness advocate Jenny McCarthy and beau Jim Carrey both proudly serve as board members for Generation Rescue, an international movement of scientists, physicians, and parent-volunteers researching the causes of and treatments for autism. Jenny’s story of her son Evan’s journey through autism can found here.
The Strike Out Autism event will be held at 12 different AMF locations–check out the list of participating centers here. As always, any and every effort that seeks to raise awareness and understanding of autism-related disorders is a WINNER in our book.
By: LBC on April 8th, 2009, No Comments »
ESPRIT GRAND OPENING BENEFITS RICHIE-MADDEN FOUNDATION
PHOTO: John Shearer
Hats off to fun-n-philanthropic couple Nicole Richie and Joel Madden, shown here at the April 2nd grand opening of Esprit Santa Monica. Ten percent of the day’s proceeds were donated to the duo’s Richie-Madden Children’s Foundation. Nicole, currently expecting baby number two, said, “We’re very humbled. Esprit has been around for so long. I was wearing Esprit when I was a kid. It’s just so amazing that someone like Esprit is supporting something that we started.”
The clothing and lifestyle brand of Esprit has always been committed to social responsibility, passionately rallying support for community and environment worldwide since their beginning. Yours truly can vouch, having worked at their San Francisco headquarters for two years right out of college. Good times…great company!
By: LBC on April 3rd, 2009, No Comments »
WYLIE BRINGS PASSION, AWARENESS–AND THE STARS–TO BEST BUDDIES
Though he may be most widely recognized for his stint on season three of The Biggest Loser, Mark Wylie’s lengthiest gig is that as the first–and most tenured–employee of Best Buddies, a Miami-based nonprofit that builds friendships and integrated employment opportunities for those with intellectual disabilities. As Vice President of Talent Relations, Wylie’s enthusiasm, compassion, and special knack for connecting with celebs have him propelling Best Buddies into the spotlight–right where it belongs.
Wylie with Best Buddies supporter Vanessa Hudgens
We first caught wind of the organization when media pal Ken Langdon of Las Vegas’ Heat Communications emailed us last December saying that a Best Buddies chapter had opened its doors in town, fueled by a $1 million donation. The monster sum would allow the chapter to operate all six of the Best Buddies formal programs, which include Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies, and Jobs. Founded by Anthony Shriver, son of some serious humanitarian stock, (mom Eunice Kennedy Shriver founded Special Olympics and dad Sargent Shriver was one of the original founders of the Peace Corps), Best Buddies was born out of the desire to recognize, include, and celebrate those with intellectual disabilities by providing friendship as a solution to loneliness and isolation. The group which celebrates is 20th anniversary this year, is a passionate, vibrant, and ground-breaking entity…as is Wylie himself.
HB: How and when did you originally become involved with Best Buddies?
MW: After college I moved to D.C.; Anthony Shriver and I had been friends, and he was starting up Best Buddies at Georgetown. I’m really blessed in that I just kind of fell into working for it. I started as a volunteer, and eventually became the first actual employee.
HB: What makes Best Buddies so special for you…personally?
MW: Growing up I was always the odd kid out, always on the outside looking in. I was overweight and had self-esteem issues. For people with intellectual disabilities it’s very similar. They’re often shut in at home; they may have caretakers or parents, but their only friend may be the TV. So being part of Best Buddies is my way of saying hey, this shouldn’t be. It gives me the opportunity to kind of heal the wounds and pay it forward. It absolutely changed my life. And I want to share that. People with intellectual disabilities can teach us so much. We need to see their beauty–not shun them for their differences.
HB: The Middle School and High School programs really stand out to me…it’s a time when kids can experience a lot of mistreatment by peers.
MW: Exactly. And these programs give students a chance to really run the whole show at their school. It’s like they get to become the CEO of a company. And they’re the future–the ones who need to get in there and plant the seeds, do the fertilizing, and really build something for the generations to come.
Tom Brady and Best Buddies founder Anthony Shriver next to the Best Buddies Audi RS4 Friendship car. (Who's taller?!)
