Once again, the Ocean State will shine brightly as a host of celebrities gather to participate in the 5th annual Jeffrey Osborne Celebrity Classic, taking place August 7-9 at The Carnegie Abbey Club in Portsmouth.  Major sponsors include East Commerce Solutions, Walmart, Xerox, Amica, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, GoLocalProv, UPS, WPRI 12/Fox Providence, Cumulus, WBRU 360, and Atom Media. Sponsorships are still available and more information can be found at www.jeffreyosborneclassic.org.

In addition to the Celebrity Classic, Jeffrey is once again hosting The Jeffrey Osborne Celebrity Softball Classic, taking place on Monday, Aug. 8, at McCoy Stadium. Tickets can be purchased at www.pawsox.com or by phone by calling 724-7300. All tickets are $13 for reserved box seats and $9 for general admission ($6 for children aged 12 and under and senior citizens). There is also a special VIP ticket that includes a pre-game barbecue with opportunities for autographs, and new for 2016 is an on-field “Celebrity Selfie Station” for a donation of $40. The gates open at 5:30 p.m. and the game kicks-off at 7:05 p.m.

Earvin “Magic” Johnson will return to once again co-host the events with Grammy nominated singer/song writer and Rhode Island native Jeffrey Osborne. The star-studded event benefits charities that support initiatives to bring music and arts back to public school systems and those that provide safe, enriching environments and services for families and children in need. To date, more than $600,000 has been distributed to Rhode Island non-profits that represent the organization’s mission. Celebrities scheduled to participate in this year’s Celebrity Softball and Celebrity Classic include Earvin “Magic” Johnson; Smokey Robinson, legendary R&B singer; Sugar Ray Leonard, boxing legend; Chris Tucker, actor & comedian; Julius Erving “Dr. J,” NBA legend; Ahmad Rashad, former NFL star, sportscaster; Ty Law, former NFL player, New England Patriots; Flex Alexander - actor, comedian, TV personality; Johnny Gill, musician, New Edition; Ronnie DeVoe, musician, New Edition; Mike Bivins, musician, New Edition; Ricky Bell, musician, New Edition; Ralph Tresvant, musician, New Edition; Nisha and Seema Sadekar, professional golfers; Doris Burke, reporter on ESPN & ABC; Roland Martin, former NFL player, Patriots; Dave Stewart, Major League Baseball pitcher; Royce Clayton - EX MLB star; Jay Harris, ESPN anchor; Eddie Levert, R&B recording Legend[; Elan Trotman, saxophonist; Byron Scott, ex-NBA player, champion and coach; Dennis “Oil-Can” Boyd, Boston Red Sox legend; Norm Nixon, former NBA star and analyst; Dondre and Salli Whitfield. Actors; Jim Harrick, former coach UCLA, Pepperdine, URI and University of Georgia; Mike Phillips- saxophone player; Kevin Stacom, former NBA player; Joe Hassett, former NBA player; Frank Carpano, NBC 10; Joe Kayata, NBC 10; Michaela Johnson, “The Rhode Show,” WPRI 12; and Patrick Little, WPRI 12.

The Jeffrey Osborne Foundation is a  501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to support non-profits that provide services and safe, enriching environments for families and children including those in need. The Foundation also supports a continued push for music and arts to children including initiatives to put music back into public school systems. The Foundation is able to accomplish this through elements including: The Jeffrey Osborne Celebrity Classic; The Jeffrey Osborne Celebrity Softball Classic; and the Jeffrey Osborne Celebrity All-Star Comedy Explosion. For more information, visit www.jeffreyosborneclassic.org.