RCR collecting donations for victims

Welcome, N.C. -- Richard Childress Racing (RCR) is asking for the support of its fans and neighbors in filling a semi-truck trailer with donated items to be delivered to the Mississippi victims of Hurricane Katrina.

A trailer from Salem Leasing Corporation, of Winston-Salem, N.C., is parked in the grassy area across the street from the RCR Racing Museum. RCR staff will be accepting donations until Sept. 17 at 3 p.m. Additional days to fill the trailer will be added if needed.

The donated items will be distributed to three organizations in Jackson, Miss., involved with the state's hurricane relief effort. Bulk items will be delivered to the Multi Agency Staging Center, individual new items (see list below -- furniture and appliances are NOT being accepted) will be delivered to Christ United Methodist and used clothing will be delivered to the Salvation Army.

"The devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina is hard to imagine even though we see it every night on television so we're doing what we can to help," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of RCR. "This is a national crisis that affects all of us in one way or another, whether we live in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina or Alaska."

The Mississippi Hurricane Recovery Fund has been set up by Governor Haley Barbour to serve as the state's central clearinghouse for corporations, organizations, and individuals to donate much needed money, equipment, goods, services, volunteers, and time to the hundreds of thousands of Mississippians who are recovering and preparing to rebuild from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

RCR is also collecting monetary donations from its employees for the American Red Cross. The total donated will then be matched by Childress.

Donation Items (all items must be new):

1. Towels Clothing Linens Underwear
2. Adult diapers Baby items Sunscreen Personal Care items
3. First Aid items Insect repellant Small crowbars Rakes
4. Work gloves Duct tape Flashlights Tarps/plastic sheeting
5. Batteries Cleaning supplies Water Nonperishable food

Donation Items (Salvation Army only)
Gently used clothing