Every year, the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation sponsors a big fundraising golf outing at Sea Oaks Golf Club in Little Egg Harbor. This annual event has historically been preceded by a dinner the Wednesday night before the golf outing.
This year, the foundation wanted to change things a bit.
“So many people reached out after Hurricane Sandy to thank Martin for all the support, we just felt it was the right time to do something a little different,” said Sandy Plemmons, foundation director.
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“We wanted a fun and affordable event for the whole family to be a part of.
“ It has been a hard year for a lot of families,” she said.
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So a new annual event has been created. The Martin Truex Fan Event and Benefit will take place from 4-8 p.m. on Sept. 25 in Manahawkin Lake Park.
Plemmons said it is a family fun outdoor event to honor the homegrown NASCAR champion.
There will be live music, featuring a local favorite band, Shorty Long and the Jersey Horns, lots of children’s activities, Car #56 souvenirs and clothing, the #56 Show Car, and a “chance” raffle to support the mission of the MTJ Foundation.
Truex Jr. will be on site, along with up-and-coming driver and younger brother, Ryan Truex.
The following day, at Sea Oaks Country Club, the annual Captains Choice 18-hole golf tournament sponsored by NAPA will take place.
“This is one of our largest fundraising events of the year. It enables us to continue the Foundation mission and help so many kids in Ocean County and in North Carolina” said Plemmons.
“A large portion of the proceeds from this event will go towards the Martin Truex Jr. Pediatric Care Center at Southern Ocean Medical Center in Stafford,” she said.
Following the golf tournament is the 19th Hole Celebration Dinner sponsored by Sea Watch, International.
There will be a buffet dinner and award ceremony; including the annual presentation of the MTJ Humanitarian of the Year award. Also included is a live auction, silent auction and door prizes along with a 50/50 raffle.
“We are adding a new element this year with a live band from 8-10 p.m. for some after dinner fun,” Plemmons said, adding, “we hope that between the fan event and the golf tournament, everyone who wants to participate in something has that opportunity.”
Detailed event information, sponsor opportunities, golf foursomes and both fan event and dinner tickets are all available on the foundation website: www.MartinTruexJrFoundation.org.
The nonprofit Martin Truex Jr. Foundation, founded in 2007, is “hooked on helping” and dedicated to working with nonprofit charitable organizations with limited name recognition and budgets, that strive to positively impact the lives of children in need. The foundation touches the lives of children stricken by illness, poverty and neglect. The MTJF has raised more than $1 million for various initiatives benefiting children.
