On Friday, September 15, 2017, the JDRF Greater Bay Area Chapter will host the twelfth annual  Summer Classic & Backswing Bash at Wente Vineyards in Livermore. This fun and lively event features a golf classic, cocktails, silent and live auctions, an evening dinner bash, presentation of the JDRF Summer Classic Impact Award, and dancing under the stars to Pride & Joy, the Bay Area’s favorite party band.  NBC Bay Area reporter Bob Redell will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the second year in a row. Tickets and sponsorships are available here or by calling Frank Bitonte  at 415-597-6313.

The JDRF Greater Bay Area Chapter Impact Award will be presented to Active Charity at Summer Classic. Active Charity was founded in 2005 by longtime friends – Ryan Ashburn , John Kay, Pace Linck, Dan Michie, Rob Nowacek, and  Jason Skeoch. They focus on local issues and charitable organizations benefiting children.

Active Charity was introduced to JDRF by former JDRF East Bay Branch Board member Loren Lingenfelter. Loren gave the group his pitch and won them over by presenting alarming statistics about type 1 diabetes (T1D) and JDRF’s high efficiency ratings.

Soon the group was planning their first JDRF Summer Classic & Backswing Bash to raise money needed to fund research for better treatments and a cure for T1D. “Once we got involved, our focus changed. We began to meet the families that deal with the disease every hour of every day,” says Dan Michie. “Once we understood how T1D affects the lives of the whole family, we knew JDRF was a cause we could support.”

“In addition to their willingness to get involved in the community, they were a perfect fit for JDRF.  Their passion, drive and character were instrumental in making this a premier event in the East Bay,” says Loren Lingenfelter.  “Active Charity will be revered as unselfish individuals who wanted to make an impact on the lives of children.”

What started as a small golf tournament and dinner/auction in 2006 has now turned into one of the East Bay’s biggest and most successful charitable events. Since inception, the Summer Classic has raised more than $4 million.

To learn more about Active Charity, visit www.activecharity.com.

Click here to purchase tickets and sponsorships to Summer Classic.