Charity Speech

Kyle Waltz
Participating in Charity Events I am here today to speak about the importance of taking time to participate in Charity Events. There are many events that happen all across the United States to benefit charities every year. There are many different types put on by a very diverse range of people. Events range from Relay for Life, The Furball to support the SPCA to Various Nascar Drivers Events. Relay for Life is one of the most popular charity events that covers the U.S. The goal of Relay for Life is to raise money to find a cure for cancer and also celebrate the lives of local people in the area that have fallen victim from different types of cancer. The relay is a twenty four hour event usually held in high school football stadiums. The event consists people camping all night on the inside of the track with games and other activities, there is continuous walking around the track for remberance, and there is also a candle light vigil. This is all put together to raise awareness and money for cancer. The Furball is an event put on by the SPCA to raise money for its shelters across the area. This event is usually held at the Hampton Convention Center and includes dinner, auctions, and a dog show. Yes everyone is allowed to bring their dog along with them. I have never personally been but have been told it is a great event to attend each year for both Man and Man's Best Friend. Safehaven is a home/shelter for abused women and children and every year they have an event to keep the Safehaven funded and operational. This event includes a great dinner for everyone followed by both live and silent auctions. To cap off the night they always have a live band to dance the night away. As you see this is a fun and exciting event to support a very worthy cause. These next few events are put on by Nascar drivers to support their foundations or other worthy causes. Even with their busy schedules it is nice to see them find time to support the less fortunate. Kyle Petty has a unique charity event he hosts every year. He has a charity motorcycle ride from California to Charlotte North Carolina. He does this ride every year to support the Victory Junction Gang Camp. This is a Nascar themed camp for kids with cancer or other diseases. He opened the Camp in memory of his son Adam Petty who was killed in a racing accident. This is a great charity event and a great camp to annually support. The camp is open every summer to bring smiles to the faces of kids who usually have little to smile about. Up in Ohio every summer Tony Stewart hosts a charity Super Late Model race for Celebrities at the famous Eldora Speedway, which he owns. Each summer he invites 40 of the best Nascar, NHRA, and other racing super stars to compete aginst one another to raise money. In the past Tony has supported the Victory Junction Gang Camp for which he raised One Million dollars for last year!!! This year Tony is changing the format of the event and where the donations go. Tony will be supporting four different children's hospitals this year, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Charlotte, and St. Jude's. He has created four different teams of drivers and the order that the teams finish will determine the percentage of money each hospital gets. The Prelude to The Dream, the events name, will take place on June 9th and will be available live on Pay Per View for 25 dollars. Last but not least is the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown at Southside Speedway in Richmond Virginia. Every year before the Spring race at Richmond International Raceway Denny has a benefit race. This race raises money for the Denny Hamlin Foundation which intern helps kids who have Cystic Fibrosis. Last year the foundation brought in over one hundred thousand dollars which is a big amount for this event not being on Pay Per View like the Prelude. This year the star studded line up for the Showdown included Denny, Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Marcos Ambros, Aric Amirola, Bobby Labonte, Hermie Sadler, and Elliot Sadler along with the best Late Model Stockcar Drivers on the east coast. My brother and I were lucky enough to be invited to this event this year and look forward to racing with these professional guys.

Questions.....

To conclude I have to say there are so many charities out there that benefit so many great causes. It is nice to take some time and money to help other people that are not as fortunate as all of us who can participate. So talk to some people or look up online to find some charity events you may be interested in. You may save a life by doing it but I can assure you, you will have a good time and feel better about yourself!