Saturday, August 29, 2009

Warlick, Caldwell to host fund-raiser

Champions for a Cause co-founders Holly Warlick and Nikki Caldwell will host their fundraiser: b3 – bikes, basketball, & breast cancer – on Friday, Sept. 11, at 6:00 p.m. at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

b3 is a special fall event featuring food, live and silent auctions and a musical performance by country recording artist Matt Stillwell. Special honorees will be Pat Summitt – the head coach of Tennessee women’s basketball will receive the 2009 Inspirational Award – and Bobby Denton, longtime country music radio mogul at WIVK and public address announcer for Tennessee football, who will receive the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award.

Admission to the breast cancer fundraising event at the WBHOF in Knoxville, Tenn., is $100.

“We are excited to bring the b3 event to Knoxville,” said Holly Warlick, the associate head coach at Tennessee. “Nikki and I have received such great community support for our Cruisin’ rides – it will be fun to share this event at home.”

For Nikki Caldwell, who is from nearby Oak Ridge, Tenn., it is also a chance for some of the UCLA fans and supporters in town to stop by and attend the event. Caldwell, a former Lady Vol player and assistant for Summitt before taking the UCLA helm, will be in town with the Bruin football team.

“It worked out perfectly to host our event the same weekend that the Bruins were in Knoxville to play the Vols,” said Caldwell, who will begin her second season as the UCLA head coach. “Holly and I have ridden our motorcycles coast-to-coast, and from Knoxville to Key West and New Orleans. It will be great to have a fundraiser at the Hall of Fame.”

Additionally, there will be special guest appearances at the event by UT and UCLA coaching staff members, as the Vols and Bruins meet at Neyland Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, in collegiate football action.

Since its inception, Champions has raised and donated tens of thousands of dollars to help support the fight against breast cancer through a number of signature events: Cruisin’ for a Cause – a long haul motorcycle ride; Links Fore the Cure – a women’s golf tournament; and b3 – bikes, basketball & breast cancer – a dinner and auction. The money raised through these events supports efforts such as the University of Tennessee Breast Health Outreach Program, Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund and The Wellness Community of East Tennessee.

Warlick and Caldwell, a pair of Lady Vol basketball alums, got together and started Champions for a Cause in 2007. It is a non-profit (501(c)-3) fundraising organization with a mission to advance and support the cause of charitable organizations who advocate and act to better the quality of life and health for individuals at risk or in need.

Space for the b3 evening is limited. To register for the event go online to: Champions for a Cause.

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