by Dick Berggren
Most fans of big league NASCAR racing never get closer to their heroes than seeing them on TV. In July 2011, four of his fans shared an intimate evening with Tony Stewart.
The New Hampshire chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities is hard at work planning numerous events for 2011. We are kicking off the season of speed with a bang, beginning with the Speedway Star competition, which will be held on Saturday, April 23, at the FANtasy Drive Open House. With help from our celebrity panel of judges, SCC will be holding auditions to perform the national anthem.
Two winners will be selected to sing at either the NASCAR Nationwide Series race on July 16 or the NASCAR Camping World Series race September 24.
In May, we are excited to be partnering with the Injury Prevention Program at the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth Hitchcock for the Safe Kids 500. Children of all ages are welcome to come ride their bikes where the cars and stars of NASCAR race and don’t forget you helmet! We would like to extend a BIG thank you to Hannaford Supermarkets and MVP Healthcare for sponsoring this evening of fun at “The Magic Mile.”
July is full of exciting opportunities for race fans at the speedway. One of the events that Speedway Children’s Charities is hosting will be an auction to have dinner with none other than Tony “Smoke” Stewart himself. Stewart will be bringing along Fox Pit Reporter Dick Berggren and Greg Kretschmar from WGIR’s “The Morning Buzz.”
We will also be giving fans the opportunity to drive their own car around “The Magic Mile,” during our Laps for Charity Event.
If you like to golf, come join us at Canterbury Woods Country Club for our One for the Kids Golf Tournament, presented by Malco Distributors of New England.
Back at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, SCC will be hosting the 19th Annual Governor’s Breakfast to benefit the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth Hitchcock (CHaD) and David’s House.
Rounding out the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 weekend will be the annual track walk and Ride of a Lifetime event.
For more information on the above events please visit us at www.newhampshire.speedwaycharities.org.
We hope that you can join us for these exciting events. The best part about it all is that all the proceeds from our events help kids in need throughout New England!
Looking forward to seeing you at the track!
Warmest Regards,
Cheryl
Dear Friends,
On behalf of the New Hampshire Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities, I would like to sincerely thank everyone who helped SCC achieve its 2010 goals.
Through the generosity of corporate sponsors, individual donors, event participants, and volunteers, we were able to help over 12,000 children in need across New England. In a time of economic uncertainty, it is empowering to see that people still have a desire to help those less fortunate, especially a child.
Thank you again and I am looking forward to a successful 2011 season.
Happy Holidays to all!
Sincerely,
Cheryl L. LaPrade
Executive Director
Speedway Children's Charities at NHMS
The New Hampshire Motor Speedway Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities would like to extend a big THANK YOU to all of the supporters and participants who contributed to the many SCC events during the SYLVANIA 300 weekend.
Kicking off the weekend was the successful silent auction held at Makris Lobster and Steak House and was sponsored by N.H. Distributors. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne both had items available for bidding.
We were honored to be invited to participate in SYLVANIA's annual media Lobster Bake. It was the first time that tickets were available to the public and all proceeds from the ticket sales went to the N.H. chapter of SCC. Guests were entertained by the "Legends of Loudon," a panel consisting of Bob Bahre, Jerry Gappens, Mark Martin and Bobby Allison. Dick Berggren engaged the panel in questions that covered the history of "The Magic Mile." Laughter and smiles filled the room as the panel reminisced about their NASCAR careers.
Sheet metal, helmets and other items filled the SPEED Stage during the Speedway Children's Charities memorabilia auction. An excited crowd was given a surprise when NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stars Joey Logano and Travis Kvapil made guest appearances. Logano's sweatshirt was even auctioned off right off his back!
On race day, the Ride of a Lifetime online auction winners were treated to a lap around the speedway during driver introductions. This once in a lifetime opportunity allows racing enthusiasts to meet and talk with their favorite drivers, as 100,000 fans cheer them on.
With the help of many generous supporters we were able to raise $50,000 throughout the weekend. Thank you to all that sponsored, volunteered and participated in these events. Without your help it would not have been possible to raise money for New England children in need.
The New Hampshire Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities is proud to announce that over $140,000 was raised at the events held during the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 weekend. Oh what a fabulous weekend it was!
Our weekend was kicked off by the Inaugural Malco Distributors of New England "One for the Kids" Golf Tournament presented by F.L. Merrill Construction. The day was filled with fun and excitement as foursomes made their way around Loudon Country Club. Players were treated to "play a hole" with celebrities such as Dick Berggren, Larry McReynolds, Allen Bestwick, Adam Alexander, Matt Bonner and Luke Bonner. The rain held off for most of the day and everyone came off the course with a smile. We are already looking forward to next year's event!
On Friday morning of race weekend the NH Chapter of SCC was pleased to be able to partner with the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth and David's House for the Annual Governor's Breakfast. Attendees were treated to Carl Edwards, driver of the Ford Fusion Aflac #99 car and National Spokesperson for SCC, as the keynote speaker. In addition Joey Logano, Driver of the Home Depot #20 car answered questions from Fox Sports Pit Reporter Dick Berggren. It was a great morning and a wonderful turnout to help two exceptional organizations.
Saturday night following the New England 200 Nationwide Race we had the SCC track walk. The rain held off and the track walk participants had a great time making their way around “The Magic Mile." Some of our special guests at the event included the Marshall Family from Lyme, NH who were featured on the ABC hit show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Laura Boyce from ROCK 101 The Morning Buzz Show, Dick Berggren from Fox Sports and NASCAR Driver Joe Nemechek.
We wrapped up our weekend events with the Ride of a Lifetime that provided fans the ability to bid on riding for a lap with their favorite NASCAR driver. We had all of the auction winners and their guests come in the infield prior to the race for a pit tour and then we loaded the winning bidder in the back of the truck for driver introductions. It was truly the ride of a lifetime!
I want to extend a sincere thanks to everyone for making this past race weekend such an incredible success. With the help of all the SCC Board Members, volunteers, sponsors, and participants we were able to raise money that will help children's organizations across our region. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. We are looking forward to the upcoming Sylvania 300 race weekend in September.
My Best,
Cheryl
As 2009 has come to an end, I find myself reflecting on all that was accomplished the past year. I was initially hired by Jerry Gappens to intern at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in the Sales and Marketing department.
I was ecstatic to be given such a great opportunity, but more than that, was intrigued to see what the wide world of NASCAR was going to be like. This position soon flourished and before I knew it, I was developing a business plan to start the New Hampshire Motor Speedway Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities.
During this process I was privileged enough to meet others within the foundation and hear the stories and insight each had to offer. To say I was overwhelmed and nervous would be an understatement. I did research into each of the other chapters and realized not only how important this chapter would be, but also all of the children we would be helping in the New England area. It was on that day in June 2009 that I decided I would do my best to ensure that not only would New Hampshire Motor Speedway rally with the staff and community to create a successful chapter, but we would spend the summer, and early fall, raising money to help out different non-profit organizations directly benefiting children with as much funding as possible in these tough economic times.
I am happy to announce that through diligence and the support of the New Hampshire Motor Speedway staff and Jerry Gappens, all of my goals have now become a reality. Our first official board meeting will be held just after the first of the year with 17 very enthusiastic and dedicated board members. Over $40,000 was raised at SCC events this past summer, $80,000 was raised at the Governor's Breakfast in June with proceeds directly benefitting the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth and David's House, and new goals have been set for the upcoming 2010 season. The New Hampshire Motor Speedway Chapter was also able to give out five $5000 checks at a tree lighting ceremony on November 28th along with donations to different driver foundations and the Motor Racing Outreach program.
To say that I have changed since the inception of this chapter would be an understatement. I continue to be amazed and motivated by other Speedway Children's Charities Chapter and all of the hard work each chapter puts into different events. I was privileged enough to work with the Texas Motor Speedway Chapter over the November race weekend and was encouraged to work hard and remain optimistic to achieve the same success they do year after year.
With the end of 2009 comes the beginning of 2010. With this beginning we at New Hampshire Motor Speedway are going to strive to plan more events, raise more money, help more children throughout the New England region, and offer a great racing season in Loudon, New Hampshire!
We are looking forward to an awesome year,
Whitney Pillsbury
New Hampshire Chapter Director
Dear Kenny, I want to thank you for an amazing adventure Sunday at NHMS.
It was sooo much fun. I would especially like to thank you. I have had these experiences before and the person doing it did their job but didn't go the extra mile to make it fun and exciting. My friend you made it something you want to do again and again. I'm sure everyone felt the same way, but my son, brothers and I can't wait till next year. Again thanks to you and the SCC for what they do and how they do it. Oh yeah before my son and brothers drive me crazy how do we get the pictures you guys took?
Luck, Love and Checker Flags
Bonnie Britt
The slogan of New Hampshire Motor Speedway has as much intensity and drive as the newly established Speedway Children's Charities Chapter of New Hampshire.
I can proudly say that the New Hampshire Motor Speedway team has been working tirelessly to develop a chapter that will not only help the children of New England financially, but also create awareness within the community.
I am very excited about the progress this chapter has achieved thus far. Despite some difficult weather conditions, our dedicated fans, along with drivers Bobby Labonte, Sam Hornish, Jr., and Joe Nemechek, made our Track Walk in June a great success.
For our SYLVANIA 300 Race Weekend, we have two outstanding auctions in place. First, the Speedway Children's Charities Ride of a Lifetime provides bidders with the chance to ride in a parade lap vehicle during driver introductions and enjoy a pit tour on September 20th. The bidding begins online at newhampshire.speedwaycharities.org on August 30th and ends September 13th.
Our second event will be a LIVE Racing Memorabilia Auction at the speedway on September 19th. Race and sports fans have the chance to own autographed sports memorabilia and racing gear from their favorite athletes. All proceeds from both of these events will benefit area children.
Our new speedway mascot, MILO, the mile-oval moose, is thrilled to be recognized as the first Speedway Children's Charities-affiliated mascot. The SCC embodies two of MILO's favorite hobbies; lending a helping hand and spending time with fans and children.
As we move forward, we will be announcing our Board of Directors in the coming months. We have great plans for 2010, with our main goal being to give young people a hand up and ensure that they have the opportunity to become our next generation of leaders.
Live Free, Race, and "Thank God for Kids!"
Jerry K. Gappens