{"id":49148,"date":"2024-12-18T23:47:45","date_gmt":"2024-12-19T05:47:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=49148"},"modified":"2024-12-19T19:51:29","modified_gmt":"2024-12-20T01:51:29","slug":"speedway-childrens-charities-grants-25000-to-three-austin-area-nonprofits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2024\/12\/18\/speedway-childrens-charities-grants-25000-to-three-austin-area-nonprofits\/","title":{"rendered":"Speedway Children’s Charities grants $25,000 to three Austin-area nonprofits"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Speedway Children’s Charities Texas Chapter Executive Director Marissa Chaney (left) and Texas Motor Speedway\/NASCAR at COTA Director of Guest Services Kayla Ochocki (right) presented $25,000 in grants to three Austin-area nonprofits. Photo Credit: NASCAR at COTA\/Trey Cash<\/p><\/div>\n

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Courtesy of NASCAR at COTA<\/em><\/p>\n

AUSTIN, Texas \u2013 Speedway Children\u2019s Charities<\/a> (SCC), the official charity of Speedway Motorsports<\/a>, has distributed $25,000 through three grants to Dell Children\u2019s Foundation<\/a>, Sleep in Heavenly Peace<\/a> and Best Buddies in Texas<\/a>. The $25,000 will serve 1,325 children in need in the Austin area.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are thrilled to be able to help three different children\u2019s organizations this year,\u201d said Speedway Children\u2019s Charities Texas Chapter Executive Director Marissa Chaney. \u201cRace fans are incredibly generous, and we\u2019re looking forward to raising even more money in just a couple months when NASCAR returns to Circuit of The Americas.\u201d<\/p>\n

DELL CHILDREN\u2019S FOUNDATION<\/strong><\/p>\n

Funds will support Dell Children\u2019s Mental Health Family Fund for uninsured children who have been victims of trafficking, homelessness or battling terminal illness.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are grateful to Speedway Children\u2019s Charities for their continued support of Dell Children\u2019s,\u201d said Dell Children\u2019s Foundation Senior Director of Pediatric Grants and Development Jenn Davis, GPC. \u201cThe most recent grant to our Mental Health Program enables our hospital to provide comprehensive, holistic and family-centered care for children and adolescents facing mental health crises. We are honored to be partners with Speedway Children\u2019s Charities in our shared mission of serving our community\u2019s children.\u201d<\/p>\n

SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Austin Chapter partners with local organizations, churches, businesses and community members to build, deliver and assemble fully furnished beds \u2013 frames, mattresses, sheets, pillows and blankets \u2013 to children living in poverty who do not have one or whose families have just overcome homelessness. Chapter leadership shows volunteers how to take a pile of wood and construct twin bed frame components with drills, sanders and saws.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are overwhelmed by the generosity of Speedway Children\u2019s Charities,\u201d said Sleep in Heavenly Peace Austin Chapter President Steve Gielda. \u201cThis financial donation will enable us to put 40 kids in brand new beds, giving them a better night\u2019s sleep that will help them to become happier, healthier young kids that grow into better students and better sons and daughters while teaching them the importance of leaning on their local community to support one another.\u201d<\/p>\n

BEST BUDDIES IN TEXAS<\/strong><\/p>\n

BB Friendship Programs build one-on-one friendships between students with and without intellectual or developmental disabilities, offering social interactions while improving the quality of life for a population that is often isolated and excluded. Their goals are to increase opportunities for socialization and inclusion of students with intellectual or developmental disabilities, develop critical social skills in all students and increase awareness of the abilities of all children with intellectual or developmental disabilities in schools.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are incredibly honored to receive this grant from Speedway Children\u2019s Charities in support of our friendship programs here in Central Texas,\u201d said Best Buddies International Central Texas Area Director Morgan Ilika. \u201cEveryone deserves a friend, and with partners like Speedway Children\u2019s Charities, we are able to offer increased opportunities to alleviate the social isolation of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Best Buddies does this by creating one-to-one friendships and cultivating the leaders of tomorrow through shared experiences of inclusion.\u201d<\/p>\n

The grants resulted from donations received during the fourth annual NASCAR<\/a> weekend at Circuit of The Americas<\/a> (COTA) in March 2024. Race fans who attended NASCAR at COTA<\/a> took part in fundraising opportunities and events including:<\/p>\n