NASCAR announced the establishment of the NASCAR Foundation, a 501 © (3) non-profit entity that will serve as the liaison between the sport and all of the charitable causes supported by its different constituents. The Foundation will review charity requests on a regular basis and over time, will expand its focus beyond the industry-related charities that NASCAR currently supports. Betty Jane France has been a leader of NASCAR charitable projects, most notably Speediatrics, a NASCAR themed pediatric unit at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach and Homestead Hospital in Homestead, Fla. Mrs. France believes the NASCAR Foundation will be an effective tool in making a positive and lasting impact in the community. NASCAR actively supports charities and is devoted to being a leader in the area of public service, said Mrs. France, who will serve as chairman of the NASCAR Foundation Board. We are fortunate to have a wonderful group of drivers, owners, teams, tracks and sponsors, along with more than 75 million fans that believe in providing opportunities for those in need. The NASCAR Foundation will link all of our charitable initiatives, and working together, we will make a difference. The NASCAR Foundation will also work with drivers and their foundations or favorite charity. Kyle Petty, who along with his wife, Pattie, founded the Victory Junction Gang Camp in honor of their late son, Adam, says the NASCAR Foundation will be a great asset to furthering the assistance the sport can provide to those in need. The NASCAR Foundation Board will consist of Betty Jane France, chairman; Mike Helton, vice chairman; Jim Hunter, vice president; Todd Wilson, treasurer; and Jennifer F. Bates, vice chairman, secretary. Sandy Marshall, who has served as NASCARs senior manager for Community Relations for the past three years and is based in Charlotte, will be executive director of the NASCAR Foundation. For more information on the NASCAR Foundation, visit www.NASCAR.COM/foundation.(NASCAR PR), more on my Racing Charities Page.(1-18-2006)
