1 post tagged “audi”

Best Buddies

I suppose that when you hear Audi, you think of fast cars easily navigating twisting roads.  You are so right there.  But would a charity bicycle tour cross your mind?  I didn't think so too.  But if you are aware that Audi has partnered as a major sponsor of Best Buddies International charity event, you would have known that the four-wheeled vehicle maker is sponsoring an event where two-wheeled vehicles take center stage.

First off, Best Buddies International is a non-profit organization which aims to encourage social integration of our brothers and sisters who are intellectually disabled.  The organization was founded by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, the brother of Maria Shriver who is the wife of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Not that the 'Governator' has anything to do with Audi.

Audi will sponsor a 100-kilometer charity bicycle tour which will start at Chateau Julien and will finish in the Hearst Ranch.  The tour will be attended by many celebrities, but for me, the star of the stars at the event will be the Audi RS4 Friendship pace car which Rob Lowe, the star of Brothers and Sisters will be driving for the first 20 miles of the tour.

Lowe has this to say about his involvement in the tour:  "I believe strongly in Best Buddies' cause, so the opportunity to drive a high-performance Audi through Northern California and lead so many people that I admire both personally and professionally was one I couldn't pass up."

Meanwhile, Johan de Nysschen, the executive vice president of Audi of America has this to say: "Since our partnership with Best Buddies began in June, the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle is the first major event we've had the opportunity to help lead." Mr. de Nysschen pointed out that the partnership is a perfect fit for both organizations saying:  "Just as Best Buddies is leading its field through innovation and a pioneering spirit, Audi's constant dedication to engineering the best cars in the world makes our organizations a perfect fit. Nowhere is Audi's commitment to social responsibility better showcased than in extraordinary events such as this, which join luminaries across many industries to a tremendous charitable cause."

Celebrities who will be gracing the event includes Clint Eastwood, Lacey Chabert, Andy Baldwin, Tessa Horst, Kim Lyons, Gunter Schlierkamp, Marla Maples, Greg German, and Adrian Pasdar.

Best Buddies founder Anthony Kennedy Shriver concluded:  "Audi's commitment to social responsibility is unparalleled, and Best Buddies is incredibly grateful for the dedication the entire company has shown to our mission of friendship and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities. With its incredible fleet of automobiles and stable of celebrity supporters, the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle promises to be one of the most important charity events of the year."