Labonte golf tournament tops $100,000 for charity

ARCHDALE, N.C. -- Bobby Labonte and wife Donna hosted the fifth annual Bobby Labonte Foundation Celebrity Golf Classic on Tuesday, with more than 100 participants taking part at the Ballantyne Resort Golf Course. The Golf Classic was preceded the night before by a dinner, silent and live auctions and a concert by country music artist Eric Church at the Ballantyne Resort Lodge. The activities ended with an awards luncheon Tuesday afternoon. All proceeds raised for the Bobby Labonte Foundation during the two days benefitted charities including the Victory Junction Gang Camp.

Labonte

"Donna and I can't thank everyone who made the Golf Classic a success enough," Labonte said. "We're truly grateful to everyone who continues to make this event bigger each year. We know the bigger and better we can make the event, the more benefit to the charities.

"Our hope is to continue to grow this event. We have a special thanks to all the celebrities who took time out of there busy schedules to come and be a part of the activities. We're already planning for 2009 and look forward to another five years of growing our relationships to help others."

More than $100,000 was raised for the Bobby Labonte Foundation through the tournament and auctions. One of the highlights of the auction included Lynda Petty, the wife of Richard, who bid on an autographed Brett Favre jersey. The item was won by Mrs. Petty who will place the jersey in the Richard Petty Museum. The Green Bay Packers and Favre have been favorites of the Petty family throughout the years.

The event was made successful by many of its sponsors including Coca-Cola, Dale Jarrett Foundation, Dollar General, Dunes Investments, Elite Displays, General Mills, NASCAR Foundation, Sprint, State Line Scrap Metal and Time Warner Cable.

In addition, national celebrities including NASCAR legend Richard Petty, driver Brian Vickers, NFL player Terry Cousins, NBA player Brevin Knight and music artists Church and Trent Tomlinson donated their time and talents to make the dinner and tournament a success.

About The Bobby Labonte Foundation

The Bobby Labonte Foundation is a non-profit organization that was formed by Bobby Labonte in 2003. This organization is dedicated to providing aid for a variety of charities throughout North Carolina. In addition, Bobby has a great love for children and focuses on philanthropies that cater to children with special needs.