Image from the Bobby Labonte Foundation.
The Bobby Labonte Foundation, founded by NASCAR champion and Hall of Fame race car driver Bobby Labonte, partnered with Herbalife Nutrition to build and donate 60 children’s bikes at the YWCA in Winston-Salem, NC on Thursday as part of the foundation’s annual charity. efforts The surprise giveaway, which benefited children enrolled in the YWCA’s Best Choice Learning Center, also included helmets and bike safety lessons provided by Brenner Children’s Hospital.
The Bobby Labonte Foundation and Herbalife also surprised the center’s representatives with two oversized checks for $10,000 each. The Best Choice Learning Center focuses on education and income equality, providing K-8 academic enrichment and need-based scholarships along with nutrition education, healthy snacks, and hot meals.
“My foundation works in partnership with the local community and community organizations to empower parents, families, and children to build a strong foundation for their future. Encouraging children to live a healthy lifestyle is one way to do that,” said Bobby Labonte. “We are very grateful for partners like Herbalife who help make our efforts possible. They were excited to pitch in to support the Best Choice Learning Center as well, which is an invaluable resource for so many families in our community.”
The bikes were built by employees at Herbalife’s Winston-Salem facility the day before with guidance from bike mechanics at Paul’s Cycling and Fitness.
“Herbalife, a company focused on nutrition, health and wellness, was excited to be a part of building and delivering bikes. Witnessing the kids’ reactions when they were surprised with a new bike was priceless for our team,” said Gene Corbett, vice president of human resources for Herbalife Nutrition. “We value our long-term partnership with Best Choice Learning Center and look forward to continuing to support their mission to educate and advocate for children in need in Winston-Salem. Herbalife would also like to thank the Bobby Labonte Foundation for their support. As we have seen through this event, we were able to make a significant impact on both the center and the children they serve.”
Before the boys received their bikes, Labonte and his wife, Kristin, a former national cycling champion, encouraged them to stay healthy by staying active and always wearing helmets when riding their bikes. Hayluri Beckles, coordinator of pediatric trauma prevention at Brenner Children’s Hospital and coordinator of Safe Kids Northwest Piedmont, showed them how to ride their bikes safely before the children received their own helmets.
“Today has been an incredible day for Best Choice Learning Center,” said Marilyn Odom, vice president of youth services for the YWCA of Winston-Salem. “We are very grateful for the bicycle and helmet donations from the Bobby Labonte Foundation and Herbalife, plus the financial gift of $20,000. These funds will allow us to continue helping the children, while the bikes will help them stay active. We have also learned the importance of safety on the bike and we are very happy with all of that.”
Hundreds of children in the Triad have received bikes from the Bobby Labonte Foundation over the years. To learn more about the Bobby Labonte Foundation, visit bobbylabontefoundation.org.
— Bobby Labonte Foundation —
