Jimmie Johnson Foundation events raise over $500,000
The Jimmie Johnson Foundation says that for the third straight year funds raised from its annual golf tournament and dinner auction have exceeded $500,000.
Proceeds from the third-year event will go to the San Diego, Calif., area to fund the Foundation’s Champions Grants in partnership with Lowe's Toolbox for Education. The Champions Grants will range from $25,000-$100,000.
NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers Kurt Busch, Brian Vickers, Jamie McMurray, Boris Said and Casey Mears, along with former National Football League player Jason Seahorn, joined more than 130 other guests for Wednesday’s golf tournament at The Grand Del Mar in San Diego.
A dinner and live auction were held the previous evening, with comedian John Pinette as the guest performer. Jimmie Johnson’s Helmet of Hope, which he will wear during Sunday’s Sprint Cup event at Auto Club Speedway in California, sold for $27,000.
“We work hard to be sure the dollars we raise in different parts of the country stay in those areas,” said Johnson, who also was honored for his charitable work by former San Diego Charger Junior Seau Tuesday afternoon. “I’m so proud of what we’ve been able to do in the San Diego area, and [wife Chandra] and I can’t wait to see what the funds will do to help local schools. Once again we are blown away by the support of our friends, sponsors and the San Diego community.”
The Johnsons started the week with a “block party” on Foundation Lane, the road on which four homes were built in Jimmie Johnson’s hometown of El Cajon, Calif., with proceeds from the Foundation’s first two golf tournament events, which raised more than $1 million.
The owners were on hand to offer a tour of their homes to the Johnsons, who participated in a special handprint tribute in the cement sidewalk.
