MIAMI BEACH, Fla., Aug. 17, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Tony Roma's recently sponsored *NSYNC's Challenge For The Children charity event here providing their World Famous Ribs and more for celebrities and their guests. This was the sixth year for the event, with proceeds benefiting the Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital in Orlando, FL and other charities.
The event included celebrities Justin Timberlake, Joey Fatone, JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick, Lance Bass, Elisha Cuthbert (24), Gabrielle Union (Bad Boys II), Kijana Carter (New Orleans Running Back), Roy Williams (Dallas Cowboys), Cameron Diaz (Charlie Angels II and Shrek II), Joel of Good Charlotte, Danny Masterson (70's Show), Simon Rex (Scary Movie 3), Chris Carmack (The OC) and Jennifer Gimenez (Blow), Shannon Elizabeth (American Pie), Beverley Mitchell (7th Heaven), Jason Taylor (Dolphins Defensive End), Tony Gonzales (Chiefs Tight End), Amanda Bynes and Wesley Jonathan (What I like about you), Benji of Good Charlotte, Joe Reitman (Perfect Storm), BET Host Tigger, Wilmer Valderamma (70's Show), and Lindsey Lohan (Mean Girls), Luke Walton (LA Lakers), Denis Scott, Mike James of the World Champion Pistons, OJ McDuffie (Dolphins), Alonzo Mourning and Richard Jefferson (Nets), Jamal Andersen, Nancy O'Dell (Access Hollywood) and Sterling Sharpe.
"With Tony Roma's history tied so closely to South Florida, we are always looking for ways to give back to the community," said David Head, CEO and President of Romacorp, Inc. -- the parent company of Tony Roma's. "We applaud the efforts of *NSYNC for all they have done for this worthy cause."
"We were very happy to have Tony Roma's as one of our sponsors. They provided a delicious element to our star-studded weekend. We hope this is the first of many years to come between Challenge For The Children and Tony Roma's," adds Melinda Bell, Executive Director of Challenge For The Children.
Challenge For The Children was created by the members of *NSYNC in 1999 to offer financial support to children's programs and charities throughout the country. The foundation's focus includes funding for schools that have suffered educational cutbacks for sports and music education. Special attention is paid to children's healthcare causes, including, but not limited to, pediatric AIDS, adoption and foster care, alcohol/drug prevention programs and the fight against teen violence.
Romacorp, Inc., is the operator of Tony Roma's restaurants, the world's largest casual dining concept specializing in ribs. Romacorp, Inc. currently operates 29 restaurants and through its subsidiary companies, franchises 222 restaurants in 26 states and 27 foreign countries and territories. The first Tony Roma's restaurant opened 32 years ago in North Miami, Florida, and today the concept includes restaurant operations that span 6 continents.