Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach Builds Excitement for Race Week!
“We’re looking forward to two exciting events to benefit local charities, beginning with the always-popular Golf Tournament on Monday of race week," said Rick DuRee, president of the Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach. “And the Charity Gala is our ‘formal’ kickoff to the race weekend with many racing and community luminaries expected to attend. We at the Grand Prix Foundation are very proud of the work we do in support of local charities while at the same time playing an active role in the overall experience that is the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach."
The Foundation, established in 1991, has donated more than $3 million to an array of charitable organizations throughout the greater Long Beach area. In 2013, the Foundation contributed to local charities such as Miller Children’s Hospital, Women’s Shelter Long Beach, Operation Jump Start, the Short Stop Program, Ronald McDonald House and the Long Beach Century Club, along with the Robert E. Leslie Scholarship Program for graduating high school seniors.
Among the charities that will benefit from the Foundations activities in 2014 are Miller Children’s Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Orange County, the Long Beach Area Special Olympics and the Robert E. Leslie Scholarship Program. Thanks to low administrative costs and a volunteer base of more than 200 local citizens, 90 cents of every dollar raised goes directly to charities selected by the Foundation’s 11-member Board of Directors.
The Charity Golf Tournament begins at 9 a.m. with registration, putting contest, driving range, and breakfast/a.m. bar and will tee off at 11 a.m. on April 7. A cocktail reception, prizes and a live auction will follow. The Charity Gala, meanwhile, will start at 6 p.m. on April 11 with a cocktail reception and silent auction followed by dinner, dancing and a live auction featuring many unique opportunities and one-of-a-kind items at 7:30 p.m.
For more information or to register for either of these events, visit www.gplb.com/grand-prix-foundation or call (562) 490-4509.