Ryan Newman Foundation raises $155K with tourney

STATESVILLE, N.C. -- Cup driver Ryan Newman raised $155,000 for conservation and animal welfare efforts at the Ryan Newman Foundation's fourth annual Charity Gala and Auction on Dec. 12 and the third annual Charity Fishing Tournament on Dec. 13 in Mooresville, N.C.

The gala, which was presented by Alltel Wireless, featured a concert by country music singers/songwriters Bridgette Tatum and Danny Myrick. The pair wrote the song "She's Country," which was performed by Jason Aldean on the 2008 Country Music Awards.

The charity bass tournament was presented by Ranger Boats and facilitated by FLW Outdoors. The tournament featured 319 fishermen who competed for the grand prize which was Ryan Newman's Z-20 Ranger Boat equipped with a 225 H.O. Evinrude, Minn-Kota Maxxum 80 trolling motor, Lowrance x135, and trailer. Alfred Kiesling of Mooresville, N.C., and Cliff Kirby of Catawba, N.C., won the tournament and took home the grand prize package, valued at $45,000.

The tournament also featured a separate competition between celebrities and pro anglers, which was won by Martin Truex Jr. and Nick Case. The Celebrity/Pro Angler Big Fish contest also included Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart, Regan Smith, Scott Lagasse Jr., Brad Coleman, Colin Braun, Shannon Wiseman, Bridgette Tatum, "Two Foot" Fred Gill, and pro anglers Koby Kreiger, Chris Lane, David Wright, Stephen Griggs, Michelle Armstrong, Maurice Freeze, Mitch Seruya, Ronnie Watts, Lee Haas, Fred Contaoi, Jared Haas and Derrick Hicks.

Ninety percent of the proceeds raised will be used to fulfill the mission of the Ryan Newman Foundation Endowment to educate and encourage people to spay and neuter their pets and to adopt dogs and cats from animal shelters; to educate children and adults about the importance of conservation so the beauty of the great outdoors can be appreciated by future generations; and to provide college scholarship funding through the Rich Vogler Scholarship program to students interested in auto racing careers. Ten percent of the proceeds will be donated directly to the Humane Society of Iredell and the Humane Society of Catawba County, both located in N.C.

"I'm very proud of all that our foundation has accomplished with our projects like Racing for Wildlife and opening the S.N.I.P. Regional Spay/Neuter Clinic in Catawba County," Newman said. "Krissie [Newman's wife] and I are working to make an even larger impact across the nation by supporting more spay/neuter programs, animal shelters and conservation programs. We really appreciate everyone's support to help us raise funds for these important causes."

For more information about the Ryan Newman Foundation, click here.