NASCAR Cup Series

NASCAR Foundation helps honor former Sprint exec

Published Mar. 8, 2010 5:14 p.m. ET

foxsports

Representatives from The NASCAR Foundation, Sprint, Inc., Ronald McDonald House, Turner Construction and Kansas Speedway broke ground for a brand new state-of-the-art playground at the Ronald McDonald House of Kansas City.

The playground is one of five community service projects across the country being hosted by The NASCAR Foundation to help celebrate NASCAR Day and will be dedicated in honor of Tom Murphy, a former Sprint Executive and NASCAR Foundation Board Member.

Throughout his adult life, Murphy was a strong supporter of the Ronald McDonald House of Kansas City and served on its board of directors. His wife, Jenny, was on hand to participate in the ceremony.

“The boys and I are thrilled that the NASCAR Foundation chose to honor Tom’s memory with this incredible playground at the Ronald McDonald House,” said Jenny Murphy. “Both NASCAR and Ronald McDonald House Charities were close to Tom’s heart. It would have meant a lot to him to see these two organizations working together to make this a special place for the children and families who stay here.”

The playground, which will be built over the course of five days, May 12-16, is made possible through a generous gift by Sprint, Inc. and The NASCAR Foundation. Local construction company, Turner Construction, has also donated all of its services to make the build possible.

The build is one of five keystone events to take place on NASCAR Day aimed at helping children live happier, healthier lives. The “Big Five” projects include: renovation and race theme decoration of a portion of the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service in Atlanta, Ga,; partnering with Bank of America for a racing-themed educational initiative at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla.; working with Sprint, Inc. for a playground build at the Kansas City Ronald McDonald House in Kansas City, Mo.; A Place for Hope project outside Charlotte, N.C., and a youth initiative at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.