MTV Latin America and the Inter-American development Bank have recognized Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates’ driver, #42-Juan Pablo Montoya, for his charitable work with the Formula Smiles Foundation. Montoya was presented with a “Chiuku” award by MTV News correspondent Ilana Sod in Miami, Florida. The special award presentation premiered on MTV Latin America’s screens Friday in one-minute spots with several encore presentations over the next two weeks. As part of the on-going “MTV Agents of Change,” initiative MTV created the “Chiuku” to recognize those “Agents of Change” who are committed to the betterment of their communities and use their influence to become a catalyst for effecting change and spreading their message all over the world. “I was very honored and surprised when MTV Latin America reached out to me about this award,” Montoya remarked. “Connie and I started this Foundation years ago with the hope of changing a few lives and to see it grow into what it is today is just amazing.” The Formula Smiles Foundation ‘Â founded by Montoya and his wife Connie to benefit Colombian children in need ‘Â has become one of the NASCAR’s most active charities. Following the model of “Education + Sports = The Best Formula,” Formula Smiles integrates sports, physical education, recreation and academics. With projects in such vulnerable regions of Colombia as San Andres, Cartagena, Ibague and Villavicencio, Formula Smiles seeks to strengthen values such as honesty, tolerance, respect, solidarity, responsibility and humility, thus encouraging children to stay on a positive path, and away from drugs and violence.(EGR with Felix Sabates)(3-20-2010)
