The NASCAR Foundation Calls On Fans

The NASCAR Foundation is calling on you, the NASCAR fan, to join more than three million Americans expected to volunteer for USA WEEKEND’s Make A Difference Day on Saturday, Oct. 25. It is America’s largest day of service and an estimated 25 million people benefit each year on this annual “day of doing good.”

For 2008, The NASCAR Foundation Volunteer Network is supporting USA WEEKEND’s Make A Difference Day by featuring messages at selected racetracks and at NASCAR.com/foundation

Paul Newman supported Make A Difference Day for 14 years. His legacy continues through his food company, Newman’s Own, which will fund this year’s awards.

“In a world that’s changing so fast and leaving so many people in need, the caring actions that take place on Make A Difference Day are more crucial than ever,” says Marcia Bullard, president and CEO of USA WEEKEND. “For 18 years, Americans have reached out on this day to help others and make our communities better places to live. The Day is an inspiring and reliable reminder of the best of this nation’s spirit.”

Thousands of projects are being planned by corporations, communities, non-profits, entire states and everyday Americans. Below are a few examples of projects. For more, go to makeadifferenceday.com.

• On Oct. 26, the NASCAR Foundation Volunteer Network Track Walk at the Atlanta Motor Speedway concludes a week of charitable efforts, including outreach to hospitalized kids and an online auction at NASCAR.com/foundation featuring driver memorabilia.
• In our nation’s capital, volunteers from USA WEEKEND, Greater DC Cares, First Book and Washington Parks & People will clean Marvin Gaye Park in the northeast section of the city. In addition, volunteers will make the first distribution of what will total 25,000 donated books — Hoop Kings and Hoop Queens — to students in D.C. Public Schools.
• In Minneapolis, 250 volunteers — fueled by a breakfast of Newman’s Own Sweet Enough cereal and led by Volunteers of America-Minnesota — will be fanning out to multiple sites across the city. This is one of 10 projects and thousands of volunteers nationwide receiving a cereal donation from Newman’s Own.
• In 10 states and Washington, D.C., staff and residents in 180 AvalonBay Communities, led by chairman and CEO Bryce Blair, will support volunteer efforts from Long Island, N.Y. to Bellevue, Wash.
• In Nashville, Broken Bow recording artist Randy Owen — lead singer of the legendary group Alabama — teams up with Clear Channel’s The Big 98 WSIX and Hands On Nashville, to lead hundreds of volunteers in multiple school-based cleanup projects. He’ll conclude the day with an acoustic concert at Hall of Fame Park. Owen’s debut solo album, One On One, and his memoir, Born Country, hit stores in early November.

About USA WEEKEND Magazine
USA WEEKEND Magazine is a national weekly magazine distributed through more than 600 newspapers in the United States. Awarded for its journalism and design, USA WEEKEND focuses on social issues, entertainment, health, food and travel. The magazine provides Newspaper in Education classroom guides to partner newspapers. Its website, usaweekend.com, provides enhanced content and interactive magazine features. USA WEEKEND is a Gannett Co., Inc., publication.

About The NASCAR Foundation
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing Inc. (NASCAR) launched The NASCAR Foundation in January 2006. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity that embodies the compassion of the NASCAR Family and its commitment to serving communities. The Foundation supports a wide range of charitable initiatives that reflect the core values of the entire NASCAR Family. The NASCAR Foundation will use the strength of the sport and its people to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. For more information on The NASCAR Foundation, please visit the website at www.nascar.com/foundation.

source: NASCAR Foundation Press Release
-----