The Comcast Community Champion of the Year Award, which recognizes outstanding philanthropic contributions within NASCAR racing, is without doubt a case of the rising tide lifting all boats.
Not only do the Comcast monetary awards enhance significantly the charitable works accomplished by NASCAR drivers, teams and their foundations, but they also heighten awareness of the multifaceted philanthropic enterprises that find their roots in racing.
Nominations for the 2018 Comcast Community Champion of the Year close on July 2, offering race fans and industry stakeholders a chance to highlight charities doing exceptional work within the community. Nominations of deserving charities can be made via ComcastCommunityChampion.com.
Last year, the Chip Ganassi Racing pit crew department was chosen from a group of three finalists to receive the Comcast Community Champion of the Year Award and an accompanying check for $60,000. The money made a huge difference in the team’s work with Ronald McDonald House, which provides rooms, meals and services to families in need while their children are in local hospitals for care.
“The grant from Comcast has allowed Ronald McDonald House to offer over 100 nights of stays to families in need, at no financial expense to the families,” said Ganassi pit crew coach Shaun Peet. “As a group we try to offer a helping hand to several worthwhile causes in the area.
“The folks at Ronald McDonald House have always been most appreciative of our help, in addition to the bicycle drive that we do to try and help out with around Christmas time. It’s always special to see a smile on the face of someone who is otherwise going through a difficult family time.”
To Peet, the charitable work has been more important than the recognition to the team.
“It’s a great sense of pride for us to just have the ability to help others,” Peet said. “We carry the belief as a group that it is our responsibility to lend a helping hand to others.
“Being recognized as the Comcast Community Champions and having the opportunity to financially benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte was just a special nod to our team for their contribution through their deeds.”
RELATED: More on the winning Ganassi team
Jimmie Johnson, one of the three 2017 finalists, said the Comcast Community Champion program has opened his eyes to the extent of charitable work being accomplished in the NASCAR garage. As a finalist, Johnson received a $30,000 grant that helped further the Jimmie Johnson Foundation’s Champions Grant program, which benefits public schools in North Carolina, Oklahoma and California.
“It helped us grow the pot (of money) for the three areas that we give back to — Charlotte; Muskogee, Oklahoma; and where I grew up in Southern California,” Johnson said. “That’s a big check. That’s a lot of fundraising. So we were able to put that right into circulation in those three areas.
“I’m thankful for what it’s done for us, and at the same time, through the process, I learned about the Ganassi guys and what they were doing, and I didn’t realize that was taking place right in our own back yard.”
A $30,000 grant enabled Brad Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation, the third 2017 finalist, to double its support with the National Military Family Association.”The money itself was a big part of funding our Operation Purple Healing Camp Adventures in April of 2018 through the National Military Family Association,” Keselowski said.
“The camp allowed military families the opportunity to celebrate family-fun and togetherness after an injury by combining family-focused activities with outdoor exploration to encourage a family’s growth on their new journey post-injury.”
Injured soldiers and their families were also treated to a VIP race day experience during last year’s Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
“The nomination has provided credibility,” Keselowski said. “Whenever you are recognized by a blue-chip company like Comcast, it gives you high credibility that you can leverage for future efforts.”
Even though only one overall winner could emerge from the three finalists, Johnson was glad to learn of the efforts of others.
“I, of course, really wanted to win the grand prize,” Johnson said, “but to sit there at the event at Homestead and watch the video on them (the Ganassi crew), I said, ‘These guys are doing an amazing job, and I’m really happy to hear their story being told.’ ”
This year’s nominations, which close on Monday, provide a chance to write the next chapter.
