April 28, 2009
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| Tom Brady to serve as Honorary Chairman of the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port on Saturday, May 30th. |
Miami and Boston, April 28, 2009 – Hundreds of cyclists will take the starting line at Boston’s John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum on Saturday, May 30th for the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port. They will ride for different reasons: some for the thrill, some to fulfill months of preparation, and others purely for the cause - Best Buddies International, a nonprofit that enhances the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment.
Tom Brady, the New England Patriots quarterback, will once again serve as Honorary Chairman of the Challenge, a 100-mile charity ride from Boston to Hyannis Port, with alternate 50 and 20-mile routes. Additionally, several celebrities and professional athletes, including Maureen McCormick, Greg Germann, Carl Lewis and Miss Teen USA Stevi Perry, will team up with Best Buddies participants to compete in “Friendship Races” on tandem bikes, while others, including Verne Troyer, cheer them on. And, for the first time, Olympic gold-medalist Carl Lewis will lead the Carl Lewis Challenge, a 5K run and 3K walk. The day-long event will be capped off by a New England-style clambake and private concert by multi-platinum recording artists the Bangles.
A brand-new event, the High Gear Gala, will kick off this year’s Challenge. The Gala, which is presented by the Bank of New York Mellon, will take place on Friday, May 29th. This high-energy event will feature a “Best Buddies Celebrity Chef Challenge,” where teams comprised of top Boston chefs and Best Buddies participants will prepare gourmet cuisine for Gala guests, and compete against each other for the title of “Best of the Best Cuisine Team,” to be decided by a panel of celebrity judges, including Chef Duff Goldman, star of the Food Network’s “Ace of Cakes.” Additionally, Gerry Morrissey, Vice President of Quality Assurance and Service Development for the MENTOR Network, will be honored during the Gala for his unwavering support of Best Buddies’ mission of inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities.
“Best Buddies is thrilled to be returning to Massachusetts for our tenth Challenge, and we hope that it will be our most successful one yet,” says Anthony Kennedy Shriver, founder and chairman of Best Buddies. “The Challenge never fails to bring together the most generous, enthusiastic and energetic people in the state - and beyond - in support of friendships and jobs for people with intellectual disabilities. Best Buddies is especially grateful to be welcoming back Tom Brady as Honorary Chairman for the second year in a row. Through his continued support, he has inspired countless fans to get involved with causes such as Best Buddies, becoming volunteers, mentors and leaders themselves.
”Since 2000, Best Buddies Challenges in Massachusetts and California have raised more than $27 million for Best Buddies programs worldwide. Due to Audi’s underwriting of event expenses as title sponsor, 100% of funds raised by participants will directly benefit Best Buddies programs. Additional sponsors include: Berkshire Hills Music Academy, The Boston Globe, CSC, CVS, Frank Crystal & Company, Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare, Hyatt Harborside, Pepsi, 7 Eleven, WBCN Radio and WHDH-CW56 News.
Space is limited – If you would like to send someone to cover this event please contact
Heather Schatz or Jennifer Grau at (305) 374-2233,
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