CONCORD, N.C. – Last weekend’s sold out “Learn Live Hope” event was the first formal fundraising initiative for Rick and Linda Hendrick’s not-for-profit Hendrick Family Foundation.
And it was a rousing success.
The annual event was held May 22 at The Fillmore, with Bank of America returning once again as the title sponsor.
Among the guests were drivers Kasey Kahne, Chase Elliott and Jimmie Johnson, broadcasters Jeff Gordon and Darrell Waltrip, and former New York Yankees slugger Reggie Jackson.
"It means a lot to see these people come out, sponsor the event and show up to our event," Rick Hendrick said. "It's very humbling."
The beneficiaries were Be The Match, Levine Children’s Hospital and Together We Feed Charlotte. And “Learn Live Hope” raised $1.3 million in 2016 – one year after generating more than $1.6 million to support multiple organizations in 2015 when a golf tournament was featured as a portion of the event. The golf tournament was not held in 2016 as the course was under construction.
At this year’s function, Bank of America Chief Administrative Officer Andrea Smith presented Hendrick with a $100,000 donation. Bank of America has supported "Learn Live Hope" for more than a decade as its title sponsor.
"I'm really appreciative of what these people have done," Hendrick said of the fundraising. "Tonight brings it all together, we raise a lot of money and do a lot of good."
Learn more about the event in the video above. For a photo gallery from the occasion, click here.