Tony Stewart’s foundation made a $15,000 donation Wednesday to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central & Western North Carolina in honor of Hope Stout, the 12-year-old from Weddington, N.C., who made her dying wish to grant the wishes of the other local children with life-threatening illnesses. A fund-raising effort for the Make-A-Wish Foundation has raised more than $800,000 to meet Hope’s request, with the goal of $1 million in sight. Hope died Jan. 4 from a rare form of bone cancer. Her story, first reported in The Charlotte Observer, has inspired many in the Charlotte area to contribute toward her wish. “We’ve been involved with Make-A-Wish in Indiana for a long time now, and it’s impressive to see all the work that goes into granting a child’s wish,” Stewart said. “When we heard of Hope’s story and what she was able to do before she passed away – it was amazing. Make-A-Wish is a great organization and she made it even better.”(ThatsRacin.com)(1-16-2004)
