NASCAR Day Celebrated May 21 With Five Community Projects

CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The NASCAR industry is participating in a celebration slightly different from the one held weekly in Victory Lane -- thousands of NASCAR fans and corporate partners across the country are celebrating NASCAR Day on May 21 and their joint efforts to raise millions of dollars to help children across the country live happier, healthier lives.

Fans nationwide can participate by making a $5 donation for the 2010 NASCAR Day collectible lapel pin being sold at 1,100 Office Depot locations and Bass Pro Shops nationally.

Pins are also available at the NASCAR.COM Superstore and Stater Bros. Supermarkets and Lowe's Food locations regionally.

NASCAR Day is an annual charitable celebration of the NASCAR spirit that enables fans and corporate partners to join together to make a difference in the lives of children. Since it began in 2004, NASCAR Day has raised more than $8 million for charity.

"The Big Five" projects commence this week with several events.

• In Atlanta, Ga. Volunteers will renovate a room and to help give it a new racing theme look at the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. The Aflac Cancer Center treats more than 350 new cancer patients each year and follows more than 2,500 patients with sickle cell disease, hemophilia and other blood disorders.
• In Daytona Beach, Fla., Bank of America, the Official Bank of NASCAR, and The NASCAR Foundation will be joined by former NASCAR Sprint Cup series champion Rusty Wallace to bring 100 middle school students to Daytona International Speedway for a day of education through the bank's "Students at the Speedway" program. The program is designed to showcase NASCAR through educational activities to show students the critical role that science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) play in the sport of NASCAR.
• In Fontana, Calif. Auto Club Speedway will host school-aged students out to the race track for a charitable racing-themed car wash.
• In Kansas City, Mo. NASCAR official partner Sprint and The NASCAR Foundation will rely on hundreds of volunteers to build a brand new playground at the Ronald McDonald House of Kansas City, which serves more than 6,000 families per year. The playground will be dedicated in memory of Tom Murphy, a former Sprint Executive and NASCAR Foundation Board Member who passed away last year. Earlier this month, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series drivers delivered materials and tools to the House in preparation for the build.
• In Rock Hill, S.C. outside of Charlotte, NASCAR celebrities and other volunteers participated in a service project at A Place For Hope, a center in one of the poorest communities in the state providing resources, training and job development, and psychological hope for local residents. The volunteers helped renovate the playground, perform grounds maintenance and deliver laundry baskets full of supplies to each family in the community.

Fans can also support these initiatives by calling 1-877-515-GIVE or visiting WWW.NASCAR.COM/NASCARDay to make a donation today.

About The NASCAR Foundation

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc., (NASCAR) launched The NASCAR Foundation in January 2006. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity that embodies the compassion of the NASCAR Family and its commitment to serving communities. The Foundation seeks to raise funds and increase volunteerism to support non-profit charities and charitable causes throughout the nation with an emphasis placed on initiatives that affect the ability of children to live, learn and play. For more information on The NASCAR Foundation, please visit the website: WWW.NASCAR.COM/foundation.

About NASCAR Day

Annually celebrated on the third Friday in May, NASCAR Day is a charitable celebration of the NASCAR spirit that enables fans and corporate partners to join together to make a difference in the lives of children. NASCAR Day encourages fans to get involved or learn about helping children in need benefit from the NASCAR Foundation in order to live happier, healthier lives. Since it began in 2004, NASCAR Day has raised nearly $8 million for charity. Visit WWW.NASCAR.COM/NASCARDay to register as a NASCAR Day team member, to learn more about helping children in need benefit from The NASCAR Foundation or to impact your community by becoming a NASCAR Day Crew Chief.

SOURCE The NASCAR Foundation