Sport Clips Haircuts, VFW to return as sponsor for the NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Darlington Raceway

DARLINGTON, S.C., March 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Longtime partners, Sport Clips Haircuts and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), proudly announce the return of the VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series event to Darlington Raceway on Friday, May 10, 2013. It is the second consecutive year the two organizations have partnered to sponsor the Nationwide Series event at Darlington.

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Sport Clips and the VFW will continue to use their NASCAR partnership to raise awareness about the struggles many military families are facing and the VFW's mission to support active-duty military, veterans and their families.

As the "Official Haircutter" of the VFW, Sport Clips has donated almost $2 million to the organization's Operation Uplink free call days program through its annual "Help a Hero" campaign.  Since the first contribution of more than $80,000 was made in 2007, Sport Clips' donations have increased annually. The company's most recent donation of a record-breaking $500,000 was presented to the VFW at the national headquarters on December 10, 2012.

To raise funds, Sport Clips locations nationwide collect donations at check-out during October and November and donate $1 from every hair care service on Veterans Day, November 11 – what the company calls "The Biggest Haircut Day of the Year." "We look forward to this year's Help A Hero campaign, and expanding our support of the VFW and its work to serve those who so honorably serve our country," said Sport Clips CEO and Founder Gordon Logan. To learn more about Help A Hero, visit www.sportclips.com/hero  

Founded in 1899, the VFW is America's largest major combat veterans' organization.  The VFW offers several assistance programs to lessen the burden on active-duty military, veterans and their families; offers counsel and assistance to military veterans to navigate VA entitlement and disability claims; and actively lobbies Congress and the administration on issues that impact the lives of our nation's veterans.

"As a veteran of the Air Force, I understand first-hand the value of having a support system while serving abroad and at home. The VFW was then, as it is now, a very important part of my life," said Logan. "Sport Clips is proud to join forces with the VFW for a second year to communicate its important mission through the VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200."

"We're tremendously pleased to have such a wonderful opportunity to help inform and educate other concerned citizens about the needs of those who deserve it most," said VFW National Commander John E. Hamilton. "As an organization of combat veterans, VFW deeply appreciates Sport Clips' continuing efforts and their assistance in helping to raise public awareness as it relates to the needs of those who serve our country."

Sport Clips is also a partner of Joe Gibbs Racing and will sponsor a total of nine races during the 2013 NASCAR season, including both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series races at Darlington with Elliott Sadler and Denny Hamlin, respectively.

With many surrounding bases in South Carolina, Darlington Raceway has been a proud supporter of the military since its doors opened in 1950. Many military personnel and their families attend racing events each May at Darlington and the track recognizes the importance of assisting the men and women of the United States armed forces that have fought and dedicated their lives to protecting our country and its freedoms.

The track offers all current and retired military personnel a half-priced ticket for any adult admission to either the VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200 or NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles' Southern 500 by calling 843-395-8802 or visiting the ticket office during normal business hours.

"Having Sport Clips and the VFW partner together to sponsor our Nationwide Series race shows you the commitment both groups are making to honor and help our military personnel who have protected our country here and abroad," Darlington Raceway president Chris Browning said. "We are proud of the fact that Sport Clips and VFW view Darlington Raceway as a continued opportunity and platform to raise awareness for our military heroes. Many military veterans and their families, as well as our troops who are currently fighting overseas, have given their lives to protect the freedoms of this country and we will make sure they are recognized during the race weekend here in May!"

About Sport Clips Haircuts: Sport Clips Haircuts is headquartered in Georgetown, Texas and was established in 1993 by founder and CEO Gordon Logan. The sports-themed haircutting franchise, which specializes in haircuts for men and boys, is ranked by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the top 20 "Fastest-Growing Franchises," and in the top 10 percent of the "Franchise 500." Sport Clips is the "Official Haircutter" of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), offers veterans preferential pricing on haircuts and franchises, and was named as one of the "Top Franchises for Veterans" by Franchise Business Review. Our "Help A Hero" program has raised almost $2 million to help deployed and hospitalized U.S. service members call home through the VFW's Operation Uplink. Sport Clips is a proud sponsor of Joe Gibbs Racing's NASCAR drivers Denny Hamlin and Elliott Sadler, and partners with numerous NCAA and professional sports teams. To learn more about Sport Clips, visit www.sportclips.com.

About the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW):  The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is a nonprofit veterans' service organization composed of combat veterans and those currently serving in uniform.  Founded in 1899 and chartered by Congress in 1936, the VFW is the nation's largest organization of war veterans and its oldest major veterans' organization.  With nearly 2 million members located in 7, 200 VFW Posts worldwide, the VFW and its Auxiliaries dedicate their efforts through veterans' service, community service, legislative advocacy and national military service programs.  For more information or to join, visit our website at www.vfw.org.

About Darlington Raceway: Darlington Raceway, or the track Too Tough To Tame as it is known to many, is where the purest of NASCAR competition meets true southern hospitality. A NASCAR staple since 1950, Darlington Raceway has seen some of motorsports' most talented drivers thunder to Gatorade Victory Lane. On Mother's Day weekend, May 10-11, 2013, NASCAR's biggest stars return to battle the track Too Tough To Tame in the Sprint Cup Series Bojangles' Southern 500® and Nationwide Series VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200. You can keep up with all of the latest news from Darlington Raceway and purchase tickets at DarlingtonRaceway.com. Like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/DarlingtonRaceway or follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/TooToughToTame.

SOURCE Sport Clips Haircuts