| Speedway Children's Charities is a unique nonprofit | | | | Technically based in North Carolina, Speedway |
| organization that strives to help youngsters in | | | | Children's Charities raises money for its work in a |
| need. Rather than tout a specific program, this | | | | number of different ways. It accepts direct |
| agency hones in on the needs of individual | | | | contributions through its Web site at and also |
| communities and helps fund other organizations | | | | plays host to a number of special events |
| that assist with educational, financial, social and | | | | throughout the year. Mostly race related, some of |
| medical needs of youngsters. | | | | the special events coming up in 2009 include:oThe |
| Founded in 1982, the national charity was created | | | | Tony Stewart Smoke Show - This Aug. 4-5 |
| by Bruton Smith, the chairman of Speedway | | | | event, designed to benefit Speedway Charities' |
| Motorsports and Sonic Automotive. The idea for | | | | efforts in Texas, will feature a fantasy camp, |
| the charity came about as a way to honor | | | | complete with coaching and driving tips from |
| Smith's son, Bruton Cameron Smith, who died in | | | | Tony Stewart. Participants will also be able to |
| his youth. | | | | drive an authentic NASCAR car. Last year's event |
| Speedway functions as more than a fundraiser; it | | | | raised more than $250,000 in a single day. This |
| also serves as a partner to the organizations it | | | | event has a number of different entry levels for |
| supports. In doing this, the group is able to work | | | | participants, ranging from a one-day visit to the |
| in communities throughout the country to identify | | | | event at $6,000 to a deluxe two-day driving |
| issues on the local level and solve them. So far, | | | | experience for $16,500.oThe IndyCar Grand Prix |
| Speedway has worked with more than 500 | | | | Banquet - Set for Aug. 21, this fundraiser includes |
| nonprofits to work on such issues as learning | | | | a dinner at the B.R. Cohn Winery in Sonoma |
| disabilities, children's cancer and more. | | | | County. The proceeds benefit the Sonoma |
| Speedway relies heavily on donors and volunteers | | | | Chapter.oKruz'n 4 Kids - Set for Sept. 5, this |
| alike. Its volunteer program utilizes people to help | | | | event takes place in Atlanta and will involve a |
| out at events, with fundraising and even in clerical | | | | motorcycle ride as the fundraiser. It takes place |
| capacities. | | | | at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. |
| In 2008, Speedway had a very busy year. It | | | | Helping youngsters one issue at a time, |
| raised and awarded more than $3.4 million to give | | | | Speedway Children's Charities is dedicated to |
| to more than 420 organizations operating in | | | | giving communities the support they need to |
| communities throughout the United States. The | | | | enable their youth to thrive. By making |
| national organization has a number of localized | | | | contributions to localized organizations that work |
| branches. They include chapters in Atlanta, | | | | directly with youth in need, this nonprofit enables |
| Charlotte, Las Vegas, New Hampshire and | | | | those in the trenches to have the support they |
| Sonoma. | | | | need to make a difference. |