NASCAR Cup Series

NASCAR community slows down to help kids

Published Dec. 24, 2009 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Jimmie Johnson was a hero with the extended Spencer clan long before he was named AP’s Male Athlete of the Year for 2009.

While Johnson’s latest accomplishment transcends any earlier honor earned in the stock car ranks, his philanthropic endeavors have gained the four-time champ a whole new set of fans.

For my Ivy League educated husband and in-laws, covering NASCAR has been the butt of many jokes at family gatherings. But the sentiment changed at a dinner last weekend. Spencer cousin Ann Clark, Chief Academic Officer of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, described the depth of Johnson’s contributions to a district where many students live below the poverty level.

Just weeks after locking down a record fourth Cup title, Johnson got a head start on this season of giving. He and his wife Chandra announced donations totaling $922,000 for the 2009 Jimmie Johnson Foundation/Lowe’s Toolbox for Education Champions Grants.

The Johnsons’ gift benefited 26 elementary schools selected from more than 80 proposals that were submitted from eligible school districts from the Johnsons’ home states of California (Jimmie), Oklahoma (Chandra), and the couple's current residence in N.C.

Education isn’t Johnson’s only target. He’s been equally generous in his partnership with Habitat for Humanity. In the past three years, the Johnsons have helped construct four homes for families in San Diego.

But charity isn’t exclusive to the champ. The NASCAR Family has been extremely generous over the years. Here are several other organizations in the stock car community with a focus on improving the lives of children.

The Jeff Gordon Foundation

Long before Johnson was able to contribute to his current lengths, his co-owner/teammate Jeff Gordon was giving back. In October, the Jeff Gordon Foundation celebrated “A Decade of Caring.” In the last 10 years, JGF has focused on pediatric cancer and two years ago it expanded its commitment through the opening of the Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital in Concord, N.C.

“Looking back at the past 10 years, it’s amazing to see the tremendous growth of the Foundation and the number of children that we have been able to help,” Gordon said. “I am also pleased that we are able to provide such a large commitment this year even in these difficult economic times.”

JGF is currently supporting the development of the Pediatric Pulmonary Lab and Community Outreach Program at the Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital, the establishment of the Jeff Gordon Foundation Pediatric Cancer Research Fund at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis and the funding of the Phase I Long-Term Follow-Up Program.

The Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma

It seems that every time someone in the garage was afflicted with a back injury, Richard Childress always had the right recommendation at Wake Forest University-Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. So it was not surprising when R.C. and his wife Judy chose to champion the cause of saving the lives of children, their efforts turned to pediatric trauma and WFU-BMC -- one of the top teaching hospitals in the country.

Last year the Childress family began underwriting a fund to improve the survival rates of children that have suffered from serious injuries, help with the recovery process and reduce the impact of trauma to children through education and awareness. Since Childress established the program with a $5 million seed in 2008, the endowment has grown to over $10 million. At Childress' 40th Anniversary celebration at the organization's headquarters in Welcome, N.C. in October, an additional $170,000 was raised. Presenting sponsors of the dinner from the racing world include Shell-Pennzoil, NASCAR Media Group, NASCAR Hall of Fame and World Class Driving.

The Childress Institute advisory board also includes daughter Tina Dillon, Betty Jane France, Kim Burton and DeLana Harvick. The institute has partnerships with the NASCAR Foundation, Speedway Children’s Charities and others.

Formula Smiles Foundation

Juan Pablo and Connie Montoya spend most of their time in Miami these days, but their hearts still remain in their native Colombia. Although the Montoyas enjoy a life of privilege, through Formula Smiles the couple is dedicated to improving the lives and surroundings of less fortunate children in Colombia.

With efforts focusing on a combination of education, recreation and sports, the Montoyas feel the foundation can provide children opportunity and incentive to avoid alternative life paths.

Throughout the year the Montoyas raised money for the foundation through galas in Miami and Panama and the Formula Sonrisas Charity Golf Tournament in Bogota, Colombia.

Victory Junction Gang Camp

Although it took four years to take Victory Junction Camp from a dream to a reality, Adam Petty’s vision lives on through the tireless work of his parents Pattie and Kyle Petty along with 9,234 volunteers. Since opening in 2004, the 84-acre year-round camp based in Randleman, N.C. has benefited more than 11,000 special medical needs children and their families from 47 states and three countries. VJC partners with 27 hospitals to provide outstanding health care to campers with a variety of chronic and serious illnesses.

The demand for Victory Junction Camp has been so great that land has been earmarked for a second camp to be built in Kansas City next year.