Lorene King, executive director of the NASCAR Foundation, has done a Q&A with each of the four finalists for the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award. They will appear on NASCAR.com this week.
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As another year comes swiftly to a close, we should all take time for reflection. As a charitable organization, we are thankful for those of you whose volunteer service impacts the lives of others and our communities.
Volunteerism remains strong with one in four adults volunteering in our country. The NASCAR Foundation has established the encouragement and support of volunteerism as one of our major efforts. Through the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award that honors our founder, Betty Jane France, we annually receive and review hundreds of nominees from which four finalists are selected.
The stories of these four outstanding, everyday champions and the charities they serve are told through special appearances at NASCAR races, our marketing efforts and those of our supporters and sponsors. We are blessed this year that Nationwide has joined us as Presenting Sponsor of the Award and is helping us spread the word about each of our finalists and their work for children.
We are giving you a more in-depth look at each of this year’s finalists. These outstanding volunteers will touch your heart, so please stay tuned as each of these champions for children share their passion. And you can help — vote for your favorite every day, share these stories through social media, and tune in to the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards at Wynn Las Vegas at 9 p.m. ET on Dec. 4 (NBCSN), to see the winner of this year’s award.
Q: What does it mean to you to be among the finalists for The NASCAR Foundation’s Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award presented by Nationwide this year?
A: I am very honored and humbled to be among this year’s finalists, representing 40,000 Special Olympics athletes. It gives me additional opportunities to advocate and be a goodwill ambassador for the Special Olympics North Carolina program.
Q: How does being selected as a finalist further your cause?
A: Being selected as a finalist offers me the opportunity to help gain more awareness and exposure for the Special Olympics programs. It will help with athlete, volunteer and donor recruitment.
Q: Why did you choose to work with this organization and/or cause?
A: I chose to volunteer because I wanted to be a role model for my family and friends. I wanted to help the special needs community to display their abilities and to reach their potential. I wanted to help them and myself build self-esteem and confidence.
Q: What inspires you and your personal commitment to your cause?
A: I am inspired every day I am around the Special Olympics athletes for their energy, love, friendship, caring and sharing. I want to continue to help them enhance their quality of life.
Q: What has been the most rewarding moment during your work with your charity so far?
A: The most rewarding moment is to see the Special Olympics athletes learn and succeed in gaining new skills, trying new sports, bonding with volunteers and receiving many handshakes, high fives and hugs. I love to see the volunteers become more engaged with the athletes and help them become accepted and respected.