LPGA event joins Clothes Off Our Back Foundation for auction

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -­ The LPGA State Farm Classic has teamed up with the Clothes Off Our Back Foundation to raise money for children's charities through an on-line auction of memorabilia donated by the most talented women in golf, Executive Director Kate Peters announced. Michelle Wie, Karrie Webb, Sherri Steinhauer (2007 SFC Champion) and Betsy King are among the players who have signed and donated items of clothing that will be available for the public to bid. The auction will begin Monday, July 14 and run for two weeks at www.clothesoffourback.org.

Peters also announced the State Farm Classic has chosen Golf Fore Africa, a charity started by LPGA Hall of Fame golfer and three time State Farm Classic Champion (1985, '86 and '88) Betsy King, to receive a portion of the money raised from the auction. Golf Fore Africa provides care and support for orphans, vulnerable children and those living with AIDS in Rwanda.

"This is an exciting opportunity and unlike anything we've done before around the State Farm Classic," Peters said. "This auction provides us a vehicle to help children all over the world in addition to the thousands of dollars we are able to donate to local charities every year and gives fans everywhere a chance to own an item from their favorite LPGA golfers. I'm also very proud to name Golf Fore Africa as the charity of our choice for this effort. Betsy has contributed so much to the game and we are happy to support her efforts to improve the lives of children in Africa."

"After seeing with my own eyes the devastating conditions in Rwanda caused by AIDS and the 1994 genocide, I knew I had to do something to help," King said. "Through World Vision, I have worked with my friends and colleagues to raise $250,000 over the last 16 months for children living in extreme poverty, many with AIDS. Thanks to all the players who have contributed to this effort, the State Farm Classic and the Clothes Off Our Back Foundation, we will continue to provide hope for children trying to survive a world many of us cannot even imagine."

The Clothes Off Our Back Foundation (actors Jane Kaczmarek and Bradley Whitford's charity) is a not-for-profit organization that works with celebrities, athletes and other high profile individuals to raise money for children's causes such as autism research, hunger relief, critically ill children and girls' scholarship programs in Africa. The auction will feature autographed items including a Nike Golf shirt and visor donated by Michelle Wie, a visor donated by Karrie Webb, golf shoes donated by Natalie Gulbis, a shirt from the 2007 State Farm Classic Champion Sherri Steinhauer, a shirt and sweater vest from the Solheim Cup donated by Betsy King, and much more.

"This is the first golf-related auction since Clothes Off Our Back began, and we are excited to be working with the State Farm Classic and Golf Fore Africa to host this event," Clothes Off Our Back Executive Director Michel Schneider said. "Clothes Off Our Back continues to look for new ways to raise money for charity and getting more bidders involved in sports, specifically golf, is the next logical step."

The auction will begin Monday, July 14, and run for two weeks. Bidders can log onto www.clothesoffourback.org to take part in the auction.

ABOUT GOLF FORE AFRICA

Golf Fore Africa, a foundation made up of LPGA players, in partnership with World Vision, helps to support orphans, vulnerable children and those living with AIDS in Rwanda. The Foundation helps provide medical kits, bicycles for transportation, mattresses, school materials, uniforms and fees for 50 school- going children, as well as registers 100 orphans and vulnerable children and 30 people living with HIV or AIDS in health insurance, provides families caring for orphans and vulnerable children with food assistance, seeds and agricultural support and sensitizes and mobilizes churches and community- based organizations to advocate for the rights of orphans, vulnerable children, and people living with HIV or AIDS.

ABOUT CLOTHES OFF OUR BACK

The Clothes Off Our Back Foundation is a 501(C)(3) organization that hosts charity auctions showcasing today's hottest celebrity attire. Items are put up for bid to the public with proceeds going to benefit children's charities. Clothes Off Our Back was founded by actors and philanthropists Jane Kaczmarek ("Malcolm In The Middle") and Bradley Whitford ("The West Wing," "Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip") whose efforts, along with their celebrity and designer friends, have helped improve the lives of children across the globe. Over 500 celebrities have participated in Clothes Off Our Back auctions since its inception in 2002, helping raise nearly $3 million for various children's charities. For more information and to bid, log onto www.clothesoffourback.org.

ABOUT LPGA STATE FARM CLASSIC

The LPGA State Farm Classic is a 501C3 not-for-profit corporation formed to manage Springfield's annual LPGA tournament. The Board of Directors is made up of civic and community leaders dedicated to continuing the long-standing tradition of LPGA golf in Central Illinois and furthering the charitable impact of the tournament. The Board actively participates in the planning and coordination of the tournament as well as the selection of charitable partners and the distribution of the funds to those partners.