NASCAR Day charities help special children

The true worth of a human being isn't how much you acquire or how many accolades you garner. It goes much deeper than the material nuances in which we tend to place so much value. It's something we've all heard time and time again, yet still find it hard to justify just what is and isn't worthwhile.

Easier said than done right? We all try to give back to the community in various ways but sometimes never know if our funds or time really make the impact we so desire. At NASCAR, great pride is taken in their charitable giving and strong community focus. The drivers spend countless hours during their time off visiting hospitals, schools and homeless shelters. But there's more to be done by all of us.

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To this end, NASCAR has created a targeted program specifically directed at supporting NASCAR-related charities. They truly believe their greatest asset is the power and passion of the fans, and have successfully laid the groundwork to channel that passion to directly benefit those in need. "We are committed to bringing together our resources from across the sport to help make a difference through programs like NASCAR Day" said NASCAR Chairman and CEO, Brian France. NASCAR's call to action through "NASCAR Day" encourages fans everywhere to join this collective effort on an annual basis.

In only its second year, NASCAR Day has made a tremendous impact in the lives of some very special children, not to mention the drivers, teams, sponsors and fans that support the program. Steve Harwell, known through his band Smash Mouth, has an affinity not only for the sport, but for the heartfelt charitable efforts made by the NASCAR community. Having lost a son to leukemia, he can relate.

"I love that NASCAR drivers are not afraid to give back" said Harwell when interviewed about his connection with NASCAR Day while in Vegas. "We've just got to take care of the kids, ya know? That's all that matters."

NASCAR Day is an annual celebration of the NASCAR spirit. In exchange for a $5 donation to the 2005 NASCAR Day Designated Charities, NASCAR fans, corporations, schools and organizations across the country may wear their NASCAR apparel to work that day. In addition, all participants will receive a collectible 2005 NASCAR Day lapel pin for their donation.

This year, proceeds raised from NASCAR Day will go to three charities: Victory Junction Gang Camp, the Petty's racing-themed camp for kids with chronic or life-threatening illnesses, Speediatrics, a NASCAR themed pediatric unit at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach, and Homestead Hospital in Miami, and Speedway Children's Charities which distributes funds to qualified non-profit organizations that provide direct medical, educational and social services to children in need.

"You don't have to be a driver or have a lot of money. You don't even have to have the time. All you need is the desire to help" said NASCAR Vice President Mark Dyer. "The message is clear. We are committed to bringing together our resources from across the sport to help make a difference through programs like NASCAR Day."

So you donated last year, bought your collectible lapel pin this year and you are looking forward to strutting your favorite NASCAR gear to work on Friday, May 20th. Sounds great -- but how does that help these kids, you ask? We are constantly being made aware of the strides Victory Junction, Speedway Children's Charities and Speediatrics are making but what about the kids? Those kids are the primary focus of NASCAR Day 2005 and Billy's story is one to remember.

Billy checks out the view from behind the wheel.

When 16-year-old Billy first arrived at Victory Junction he didn't talk a much. He was overtaken by awe by all of the race-cars and the animated atmosphere around camp. Richard Petty and his wife, Lynda, happened to be visiting the camp just as Billy was arriving, which added to the excitement of the children and parents around him. But, Billy still didn't say much.

When he finally decided to speak, the camp counselors learned just how limited he was in his ability to communicate. You see, Billy was not your average teenager. Born with a genetic muscle disease, he underwent major open-heart surgery when he was only eight years old, leaving him with a severe speech impediment, not to mention a limited amount of self confidence.

As his tension eased, he let the VJGC staff know what he wanted but had to rely on a simple vocabulary, using phrases like "moh" to indicate that he wanted "more" of something. Like a weeklong game of charades, both Billy and the counselors used animated gestures to help understand each other. A situation which may have seemed difficult at first was immediately embraced by the entire camp; his cabin-mates and counselors all joined in the new form of communication.

By the second day in camp, Billy's cabin was the source of laughter which spilled over through the entire camp. The group was always first to turn the dining hall into a dance floor which was quite a feat for a group of teenage boys. All because Billy loved this new freedom to communicate through music and dancing and a lot of laughing. Each person who came in contact with Billy made the effort to communicate with and involve him because for the first time, he was the center of everyone else's excitement. The bond between the cabin-mates was something only Victory Junction could have provided.

The week Billy spent at Victory Junction was one to remember, not only for Billy himself, but for every other child, counselor and staff member involved and for the next five weeks after Billy left, the counselors in the green unit couldn't stop asking for "Moh!". Billy and his parents returned for family weekend just this past February and are proud to hold the camp record for the most family members swimming unexpectedly in the lake! Billy is an avid NASCAR fan and would like to thank the folks at NASCAR, Victory Junction, the supporters and volunteers for his first ever camp experience.

Billy's story isn't unique. Heart-warming, healing situations like this happen every day through organizations like Victory Junction, Speediatrics and Speedway Children's Charities. By participating in NASCAR Day, you'll join fans, corporations, schools, and organizations across the country to help make that difference.