mangoes
12-14-2005, 10:52 PM
Roddick's Charity Weekend Raises $1.5 Million
Lionel Richie kicked off the Fifth Annual Andy Roddick Charity Dream Weekend with a concert at the Seminole Hard Rock Live Arena in Hollywood, Fla. last weekend. Richie, a five-time Grammy Award winner, rocked a full house of fans in order to help tennis inspiration Andy Roddick raise money for many children’s charities in South Florida.
Even though Richie and Roddick did not have to resort to “Dancing on the Ceiling” to help raise over $1.5 million in 2005 for the Foundation, there were many dancing in the aisles at the concert including Roddick.
“Lionel was an awesome performer and everyone had a blast at the concert,” stated Roddick. “We are very gracious that Lionel Richie was able to perform for our cause and incorporate music into the charity weekend.”
Following Richie’s charity concert, a Dinner Gala took place on Saturday, Dec. 10 at the Polo Club Boca Raton that was certainly “A Night to Remember.” Many guests dined amongst tennis stars Venus Williams and Jim Courier in addition to Roddick, and afterwards got a chance to show them their moves on the dance floor. Some of the top selling auction item packages at the Dinner Gala included $30,000 for a one hour tennis session with Andre Agassi, $20,000 for an evening with Andy Roddick, and over $20,000 for two tickets to the Oscar Party in Los Angeles.
“I was a little apprehensive about our turn out this year due to the hurricanes that greatly affected South Florida,” noted Blanche Roddick – chairman of the Foundation, “and was amazed at the generosity of our supporters after everything they have been through. Thank you to everyone who was involved and made this a great weekend.”
Sunday’s Tennis Extravaganza on Dec. 11 began with a free Kids' Zone to all children under 12 and included tennis games sponsored by USA Tennis Florida. Later in the day, a tennis exhibition took place with top pros Venus Williams, Sebastian Grosjean, Brenda Schultz, Aaron Krickstein, and special guest Grand Slam champion Jim Courier. Some fans watched the tennis exhibition in seats that were only a few feet away from the players, and others got the opportunity to return Roddick’s world record fastest-serve (clocked at 154 mph). Roddick ended the charity weekend by personally meeting, and spending time, with some of his biggest special needs fans in the players lounge
Celebrities who attended the charity weekend events included 2005 Miss America Deidre Downs, 2002 Olympic Gold medalist Sarah Hughes, and 2005 Andy Roddick Foundation Distinguished Honoree Brian Edwards. Andre Agassi, who was supposed to participate in Sunday’s tennis exhibition, was unable to attend this year due to an injury. Although Agassi could not be apart of the tennis action, he paid for the private airfare of Jim Courier to take his place. Agassi also committed to attending the Foundation’s tennis exhibition for the next two years, and kindly made a $75,000 donation.
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Very Nice Andy :D
Lionel Richie kicked off the Fifth Annual Andy Roddick Charity Dream Weekend with a concert at the Seminole Hard Rock Live Arena in Hollywood, Fla. last weekend. Richie, a five-time Grammy Award winner, rocked a full house of fans in order to help tennis inspiration Andy Roddick raise money for many children’s charities in South Florida.
Even though Richie and Roddick did not have to resort to “Dancing on the Ceiling” to help raise over $1.5 million in 2005 for the Foundation, there were many dancing in the aisles at the concert including Roddick.
“Lionel was an awesome performer and everyone had a blast at the concert,” stated Roddick. “We are very gracious that Lionel Richie was able to perform for our cause and incorporate music into the charity weekend.”
Following Richie’s charity concert, a Dinner Gala took place on Saturday, Dec. 10 at the Polo Club Boca Raton that was certainly “A Night to Remember.” Many guests dined amongst tennis stars Venus Williams and Jim Courier in addition to Roddick, and afterwards got a chance to show them their moves on the dance floor. Some of the top selling auction item packages at the Dinner Gala included $30,000 for a one hour tennis session with Andre Agassi, $20,000 for an evening with Andy Roddick, and over $20,000 for two tickets to the Oscar Party in Los Angeles.
“I was a little apprehensive about our turn out this year due to the hurricanes that greatly affected South Florida,” noted Blanche Roddick – chairman of the Foundation, “and was amazed at the generosity of our supporters after everything they have been through. Thank you to everyone who was involved and made this a great weekend.”
Sunday’s Tennis Extravaganza on Dec. 11 began with a free Kids' Zone to all children under 12 and included tennis games sponsored by USA Tennis Florida. Later in the day, a tennis exhibition took place with top pros Venus Williams, Sebastian Grosjean, Brenda Schultz, Aaron Krickstein, and special guest Grand Slam champion Jim Courier. Some fans watched the tennis exhibition in seats that were only a few feet away from the players, and others got the opportunity to return Roddick’s world record fastest-serve (clocked at 154 mph). Roddick ended the charity weekend by personally meeting, and spending time, with some of his biggest special needs fans in the players lounge
Celebrities who attended the charity weekend events included 2005 Miss America Deidre Downs, 2002 Olympic Gold medalist Sarah Hughes, and 2005 Andy Roddick Foundation Distinguished Honoree Brian Edwards. Andre Agassi, who was supposed to participate in Sunday’s tennis exhibition, was unable to attend this year due to an injury. Although Agassi could not be apart of the tennis action, he paid for the private airfare of Jim Courier to take his place. Agassi also committed to attending the Foundation’s tennis exhibition for the next two years, and kindly made a $75,000 donation.
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Very Nice Andy :D