A good organization supports charity and NASCAR does just that through its NASCAR foundation. The NASCAR foundation has a program where for a $30 donation you can join in on the NASCAR track walk. The Home Depot, one of the nation's largest retail home improvement centers, is a major sponsor of the promotions and holds charitable events with proceeds going to the Foundation. But who does the Foundation support and what kinds of events do they hold to raise funds?
One thing they do is sponsor auctions where the proceeds go to one of the foundations supported by the NASCAR foundation. For example, on September 17, 2007, they announced bidding on Jeff Gordon full-sized and autographed fiberglass auto body. The proceeds from this auction go to the Jeff Gordon Foundation which supports pediatric medical care of children with serious and life-threatening disease.
The NASCAR foundation holds the Blood and Marrow Drives at different tracks each year. The donations help out the Jimmie Johnson Foundation and the Hendrick Marrow Program. Other charities of the NASCAR Foundation are:
The Dale Earnhardt Foundation
This is a foundation run by the wife of the racing great who died in a race car crash in 2001. Dale Earnhardt was concerned about education, children, and wildlife and his commitment lives on through this foundation.
The Kyle Petty Charity Ride
Kyle Petty is the son of the King of NASCAR Richard Petty and he sponsors a motorcycle ride across the USA for the Victory Junction Gang Camp as well as other children's charities.
Victory Junction Gang Camp
This is an organization with the mission of helping to enrich the lives of children with serious illnesses by providing them a camping experience in a medically-safe environment. It was founded by Kyle Petty and his wife Pattie in June 2004. The couple also donated the land that the camp stands on today. The camp is interesting because it was built with a racing theme and all the look of a NASCAR race track. The camp takes cash donations and there are volunteer opportunities. It is also gives a quilt and a teddy bear to each child who stays there so they are always looking for donations of these two items to replenish their supply.
NASCAR Auto Donation Program
There are many ways to donate to the NASCAR foundation. One way is through the NASCAR Auto Donation program. Here, you can donate a vehicle and then any of the proceeds that the NASCAR Auto Donation program gets from the proceeds in an auction are given to charity. All donations are fully tax deductible.
The NASCAR Day Telethon
This was a telethon held on May 18, 2007 across from Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Speed Channel, NASCAR, and Sirius radio broadcasted this telethon event through the end of the Craftsman Truck Series Race.
There are many other charitable organizations supported by the NASCAR Foundation but it is obvious that NASCAR cares about contributing to the community which is probably one of the reasons why this sport is becoming increasingly popular.
