Best Buddies International and Volvo Present Auction Winners with Romero Britto Custom-Designed Car
For Immediate Release
Best Buddies International and Volvo Present Auction Winners with Romero Britto Custom-designed Car
Wendy and John McGuire of Jupiter, Florida take home their new Britto V50
WEST PALM BEACH, FL— After more than a month of anticipation, Wendy and John McGuire take home their new Britto V50, tomorrow, February 2, 2005. The couple won the car, designed by world-renowned Miami Beach artist Romero Britto, in December during a live auction at Best Buddies International’s annual Miami Beach Gala: Arabian Nights, a Caravan on Miami Beach.
“It’s a win-win situation for us,” said Mrs. McGuire. “We were able to contribute to Best Buddies, an organization that does so much for people with intellectual disabilities, and we have the privilege of owning a spectacular new Volvo that is also a beautiful piece of art.”
The Volvo wagon, painted in the bright hues and whimsical patterns characteristic of Britto’s work, will be hard to miss as it is transported to the Jupiter neighborhood where the McGuires reside. But neighbors will need to work hard to catch a glimpse of the car, which the McGuires intend to house safely in the garage at their home. They will also showcase the vehicle in various car and art shows.
Mr. Britto worked with Volvo to produce and donate the Britto V50, which is valued at $125,000. All proceeds from the sale of the vehicle directly benefited Best Buddies International and will be used to support Best Buddies’ friendship and jobs programs for people with intellectual disabilities.
The Britto V50 handoff will take place at Volvo Palm Beach, 5544 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, Florida. If you would like to cover the event please contact Joslyn Matthews, Media Relations Director for Best Buddies, at 305-374-2233 or JoslynMatthews@bestbuddies.org.
ABOUT BEST BUDDIES INTERNATIONAL
Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant, international organization that has grown from one original chapter to more than 1,000 middle school, high school and college campuses across the country and internationally. Best Buddies operates in each of the 50 United States, and has active international programs in 15 countries; with additional programs under current development in 14 additional countries. Our six formal programs – Best Buddies Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, Jobs and e-Buddies – positively impact more than 250,000 individuals every year. We also have significant goals for the organization’s ongoing expansion in serving people with intellectual disabilities. For more information, visit www.bestbuddies.org
ABOUT ROMERO BRITTO
In the past decade, Brazilian-born Romero Britto has established himself as a preeminent artistic entity in South Florida, as well as expanding his significant presence throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. A Miami resident since 1989, Britto's work seems inspired by the primitive ideas of the early modern masters, combined with the novel approach of his pop contemporaries. Britto's style, therefore, has become well known for his unabashed representation of life celebrated through vibrant colors and hard-edged compositions. Britto's work includes creative campaigns for corporations, such as Absolut Vodka, Pepsi Cola, Movado and Disney. His creations for private collectors are in such demand that limited edition prints supplement his original pieces. Britto also shares his talent in support of worthwhile international charitable organizations, such as St. Jude's, the American Red Cross and Best Buddies. In the artist's words, "For me, art can reflect the celebration of the simple and good things in life. This is most important to me!" For more information on Romero Britto, visit www.britto.com.
Press Contact:
Joslyn Matthews
Best Buddies International
(305) 374-2233, ext. 24
joslynmatthews@bestbuddies.org