7th Annual Volvo Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port

    BOSTON, May 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Four hundred cyclists will gather in the
 early morning at the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum prepared to ride 90
 miles in support of Best Buddies International, a nonprofit that provides
 friendships and jobs to people with intellectual disabilities. In its
 seventh year, the Volvo Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port promises to
 deliver an exciting athletic event that showcases the talents of Best
 Buddies participants from around the country as they ride alongside avid
 and professional cyclists from Boston to Cape Cod on May 20, 2006.
     "Best Buddies is increasingly overwhelmed by the support we receive for
 the Challenge from community members and businesses in Massachusetts -- led
 by our Honorary Chairperson Tedy Bruschi -- in addition to the exceptional
 commitment made by others around the country and the world, including our
 supporters from Best Buddies Colombia," says Anthony K. Shriver, founder
 and chairman of Best Buddies International. "We are extremely grateful for
 this outpouring of goodwill, as it allows us to continue our work to end
 isolation for people with intellectual disabilities."
     Featured Riders & Celebrity Endorsement
     Miss Teen USA Allie LaForce will ride 90 miles with her cycling buddy,
 Katie Meade. The pair -- along with 15 other Buddy Pairs from around the
 country and the world -- represents the one-to-one friendships formed
 through more than 1,200 Best Buddies chapters in 23 countries. Also
 participating in the event are professional cyclists Frank and Mark
 McCormack, along with celebrities including actors Kelly Hu, Esai Morales
 and Vivica A. Fox, Olympic Gold Medalist Carl Lewis, entertainer Bobby
 Brown, Colombian pop star Carlos Vives and several members of the New
 England Patriots.
     Tedy Bruschi Gets Fired Up
     Riders can rest and refuel at manned stops in Nowell, Duxbury, Plymouth
 and Sandwich, Massachusetts, where a 20-mile version of the ride will be
 kicked off by Honorary Chairperson Tedy Bruschi. The day ends at President
 Kennedy's Hyannis Port home with a celebrity tandem race, where members of
 the New England Patriots and other celebrity guests complete a 4-mile
 course on tandem bikes with Best Buddies participants with intellectual
 disabilities, followed by a lobster clambake and private concert performed
 by pop icons, the Go-Go's.
     Sponsor Involvement and Fundraising
     Since their inception in 2000, Best Buddies' cycling events in
 Massachusetts and California have raised more than $14 million for Best
 Buddies programs throughout the world -- enabling thousands of friendship
 and employment opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. The
 Challenge is televised nationally on NBC Sports -- and regionally on WB56
 -- thus broadcasting Best Buddies' mission into the homes of more than two
 million viewers across the country. Sponsors of the event, including title
 sponsor Volvo and presenting sponsor Pepsi, provide funding and in-kind
 support covering all event expenses. 100% of the money raised by riders
 goes directly to Best Buddies friendship and job programs.
     "I participated in last year's Volvo Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis
 Port and witnessed firsthand the spectacular impact Best Buddies has on the
 lives of its participants," says Anne Belec, CEO, Volvo Cars of North
 America. "Volvo is proud to be aligned with an organization that shares
 such a strong commitment to families, communities and public service."
     Best Buddies International
     Founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant,
 international organization that has grown from one original chapter to more
 than 1,200 middle school, high school and college campuses across the
 country and internationally. Best Buddies programs engage participants in
 each of the 50 United States. Furthermore, the organization has accredited
 international programs on six continents; with additional country programs
 under active development. Our six formal programs -- Best Buddies Middle
 Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, Jobs and e-Buddies(R) -- will
 positively impact more than 250,000 individuals this year. Best Buddies is
 also systematically implementing its 2010 initiative that will witness the
 organization's continued growth, both domestically and abroad.
 
 

SOURCE Best Buddies International