NASCAR charities make presence felt at holidays

Walking never used to be so lucrative.

The NASCAR Foundation, specializing in charitable works and other good deeds, has made a lot of money with its feet, and those of caring race fans far and wide.

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In fact, at five Track Walks during the 2007 season, The Foundation raised more than $100,000 for charity. At this time of the year, such good deeds become a bit more important, it seems, than at other times, and it's good to know that there are people out there whose purpose it is to make sure other folks are getting the help they need.

According to its mission statement, The NASCAR Foundation "supports a wide range of charitable initiatives that reflect the core values of the entire NASCAR Family. The NASCAR Foundation will use strength of the sport and its people to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most."

The NASCAR community has responded to the mission, with more than 3,000 walkers combining for the five Walks.

The Track Walk is a great way for friends, family members and co-workers to get an insider's view of a NASCAR track, while at the same time raising funds for some very worthy causes. For a $30 admission for each individual, groups get together and raise even more money via an online component.

For the holiday season, The Foundation has called upon one of NASCAR's most recognizable names -- artist Sam Bass -- to help with a brand new program featuring an online auction of original hand-drawn artwork from the 2007 Sam Bass Holiday Collection to benefit The NASCAR Foundation.

The online auction, which runs through Dec. 12 on NASCAR.COM, features Bass' Holiday Collection, composed of 12 of NASCAR's top drivers and a Sam Bass Gallery 2007 holiday die cast. For each driver's car, Bass created original illustrations related to individual personalities and hobbies both at and away from the track.

"I am very proud and honored to donate my original holiday car artwork to The NASCAR Foundation," Bass said. "I love the holidays and sincerely hope that these works will end up benefiting so many people who are in need, making their holiday season brighter in some way."

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The NASCAR Foundation assists 33 driver, team and track charities that support a variety of causes including children, animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Earlier this year, The Foundation made a $500,000 donation to the Victory Junction Gang Camp from funds raised during its annual NASCAR Day celebration. Bass was the designer of the 2007 NASCAR Day pin.

"This is a great holiday program we are proud to offer our fans," said Sandy Marshall, executive director of The NASCAR Foundation. "Not only do fans get the chance to own a one-of-a-kind piece of Sam Bass original artwork of their favorite driver, but they are also helping support a very worthy cause."

NASCAR, whether it be the organization itself or the community of racers and fans that have grown up around it, is no stranger to good works. Besides The NASCAR Foundation, there's Victory Junction Gang Camp (Kyle and Pattie Petty), Speedway Children's Charities (Bruton Smith and Gen. Tom Sadler) and many more.

Drivers like Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Ryan Newman and others all have foundations dedicated to general or specific charitable goals. NASCAR fans, as evidenced by the annual NASCAR Day, participate early and often.

Thousands of NASCAR fans and companies participated in NASCAR Day on May 18, raising more than $1.6 million through fan donations, corporate partners and an inaugural telethon. That total was split between Victory Junction and Homestead Hospital in Florida, where the money was used to open a racing-themed Speediatrics Children's Emergency Room.

"We are excited to bring Speediatrics to our Children's Emergency Room," said Bill Duquette, chief executive officer of Homestead Hospital. "The atmosphere that Speediatrics creates helps ease the fears of our youngest patients and is uplifting to the staff, as well."

NASCAR Day has raised at least $1 million in each of its first four years.

Speedway Children's Charities is focused primarily on helping those agencies which deliver crucial help to the youngest among us and since its inception, SCC has donated more than $18 million to various groups.

Stewart's foundation is relatively young, but still has donated at least $2 million to Victory Junction Gang Camp and other entities.

At this time of the year, our hearts are naturally drawn to those among us who are less fortunate, have been stricken by illness or injured. As the holidays approach, please remember the various NASCAR-related charities and the people they help.

Your shoes are made for walking, NASCAR fans, and with every step you're giving aid and comfort to people who need it. Isn't that the spirit of the holidays?