Speedway Children's Charities will distribute more than $3 million in grants to 450 charitable organizations across the country this year, bringing the total allocation amount to more than $55 million since the O. Bruton Smith family founded the nonprofit in 1982.
Funds distributed by Speedway Children's Charities chapters at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Kentucky Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Sonoma Raceway and Texas Motor Speedway totaled a staggering $3,020,000.00 in 2018. Speedway Children's Charities raises grant money through fundraisers including clay shoots, track events, holiday light displays, golf tournaments and auctions.
"I've always felt like what we do, the fundraising, may be the easier part," said Speedway Children's Charities Vice Chairman and Speedway Motorsports CEO Marcus Smith. "The really tough part is the help being given. We raise money and give it to great organizations that help children in need around our eight speedways throughout the country. We're blessed to be supporting these deserving organizations to improve our communities."
Speedway Children's Charities' chapters use grants to significantly improve the lives of children who live near the chapters' respective race tracks. Among the nonprofit's far-reaching endeavors are aiding in cancer research, providing winter coats and backpack meals to low-income families as well as facilitating clubs that provide healthy after-school activities.
"On behalf of everyone at Speedway Children's Charities, we offer sincere thanks to our many sponsors, donors and volunteers," said Maj. Gen. Chuck Swannack, executive director of Speedway Children's Charities. "Through everyone's gracious assistance, Speedway Children's Charities will help make the holiday season and beyond brighter for hundreds of thousands of children in need."
For more information on Speedway Children's Charities or to learn how to volunteer or make a donation, visit www.speedwaycharities.org.
