CHARITY VOLKSWAGEN RACE CAR CONTINUES TO THRILL CROWD AT BARRETT-JACKSON COLLECTOR CAR AUCTION IN ORANGE COUNTY

Automotive Enthusiasts Raise $150,000 for Local Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer at Sunday Auction

Note: Sunday Group had the opportunity to work with the Hatcher Foundation folks through our association with the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge and sponsoring the Rookie of the Race Award…. (http://hatcherfoundation.org/recent_news/?p=300)

Chattanooga, TN (June 27, 2011): On Sunday, June 26, the world’s first ever professional bio-diesel touring car, a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta built by Chattanooga’s Chili Pepper Racing, was sold at the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Orange County, California for $150,000. The sale tied with a 2005 Ford GT for fifth-highest price tag vehicle sold at this year’s event. Proceeds from the sale will be used to fund services for families receiving care through the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer.

The car originally thrilled automotive enthusiasts at the inaugural Barrett-Jackson Orange County auction in 2010, where it sold for $35,000 and rapidly generated $45,000 in additional donations before being donated back to raise more funds for the Foundation. To the delight of the crowd and the Austin Hatcher Foundation, the Volkswagen Jetta again was generously donated back after being sold on Sunday. The Austin Hatcher Foundation will again benefit from the sale of the car at Barrett-Jackson’s September 22-24, 2011 event in Las Vegas.

In just twelve months, Barrett-Jackson was able to raise a total of over $500,000 for the Austin Hatcher Foundation. These funds benefit pediatric cancer patients and their families through the Foundation, whose mission is to erase the effects of pediatric cancer and optimize each child’s quality of life from diagnosis through survivorship. All of the Foundation’s services are provided free of charge and are funded solely through the donations of supporters.

The Austin Hatcher Foundation is one of over 15 charities supported by Barrett-Jackson Auction Company, seven of which specifically serve children with medical needs. “Each of these organizations needs our support,” said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “We’ve made it our goal to raise as much money for both local and national foundations as possible and so far, we’ve generated more than $34 million.”

The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer’s mission is to erase the effects of pediatric cancer and optimize each child’s quality of life through essential specialized intervention beginning at the time of diagnosis and continuing throughout survivorship. The Foundation provides services to children with cancer, as well as their families, through its cancer care center, Hatch’s House of Hope. The Foundation provides all services at no cost to the families. Services are funded solely by the generous donations of supporters. For more information, visit http://www.hatcherfoundation.org

Hatch’s House of Hope is a landmark pediatric cancer care center providing children and their families with the tools needed to cope and thrive at the onset of pediatric cancer, as well as the skills essential to live meaningful and productive lives as cancer survivors. The comprehensive services offered at no cost to families by Hatch’s include: individual and group counseling, marital and family counseling, speech and occupational therapy, music and art therapy, cognitive skills remediation, academic coaching, financial counseling, and diversionary therapy events for family enrichment. Services are provided from diagnosis through treatment, during remission, and into adulthood. For more information, visit http://www.hatchshouse.org

Barrett-Jackson Auction Company Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2011, Barrett-Jackson Auction Company specializes in providing products and services to collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts worldwide. Named one of the top 100 “World’s Most Ethical Companies” by Ethisphere Magazine in 2010, Barrett-Jackson produces “The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions™” in Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Fla., Orange County, Calif. and Las Vegas. Barrett-Jackson also endorses a one-of-a-kind collector car insurance offering for collector vehicles and other valued belongings. Established in 1971, Barrett-Jackson is headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit http://www.barrett-jackson.com or call (480) 421-6694.