TDJF raises second-highest amount of funds to benefit numerous charities
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Dec. 10, 2015) – Capping another year of fundraising initiatives, The Dale Jr. Foundation (TDJF) announced today it has raised $833,045 to benefit more than 75 deserving charities in 2015. Standing as the second-highest effort since TDJF’s inception in 2007, the funds raised will be distributed to charities on local, regional and national levels, including Blessings in a Backpack, Camp LUCK, Children’s Hope Alliance, Health Reach Community Clinic, Make-A-Wish Central and Western North Carolina, Mooresville Christian Mission and Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
“I’m proud of the efforts by our Foundation each year,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. said. “We did a few new things this year, like the Driven to Give Gloves program and partnering with Nationwide to give away a uniform. Along with our annual Corvette raffle, ride-alongs, Weekend with the 88s Sweepstakes, and charity auction and dinner, this was another remarkable year. I look forward to seeing what our staff is able to come up with to keep advancing the Foundation into next year.”
TDJF’s mission is to give underprivileged youth the resources to improve their confidence and education, and the opportunity to achieve extraordinary goals. This year, the funds were raised through several endeavors, but primarily via the “Driven To Give” event, “Win Dale Jr.’s Ride” raffle and the “Dale Jr. Ride-Along Experience.”
The fifth annual “Driven To Give” fundraiser, which included dinner, a silent auction, live auction and entertainment by well-known comedian Jim Breuer, raised $294,600. Hosted by NBC NASCAR analyst Steve Letarte at the Fillmore in Charlotte, the event saw a fund increase of more than $40,000 (17 percent) over 2014.
Also in its fifth year, the popular “Win Dale Jr.’s Ride” raffle sold all 8,888 tickets and raised $220,000. J. Warren of North Carolina was the lucky winner, driving home with Earnhardt Jr.’s 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray after purchasing a $25 raffle ticket.
The “Dale Jr. Ride-Along Experience” brought in an additional $84,400. Eleven recipients visited Charlotte Motor Speedway for a three-lap cruise in a Richard Petty Driving Experience race car with Earnhardt Jr. in the driver seat. They were also treated to an exclusive Q&A session, autographs and photo session with Earnhardt Jr., Kelley Earnhardt Miller and Kerry Earnhardt.
“The holiday season is a time to give thanks and I couldn’t be more grateful for everything we’ve accomplished with The Dale Jr. Foundation over the last nine years,” said Earnhardt Miller, general manager of JR Motorsports and vice president of The Dale Jr. Foundation. “None of what we do would be possible without the dedication of our fans, valued partners and volunteers throughout the year. It is because of them that we are able to continue to support so many worthy causes.”
ABOUT THE DALE JR FOUNDATION:
The Dale Jr. Foundation is a charity dedicated to giving underprivileged individuals with a focus on youth, the resources to improve their confidence and education, and the opportunity to achieve extraordinary goals. For more information, visit www.thedalejrfoundation.org.
ABOUT JR MOTORSPORTS:
JR Motorsports is the management company and racing operation for Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR’s 13-time Most Popular Driver and winner of more than 40 NASCAR-sanctioned races. JR Motorsports competes in multiple racing divisions, including the NASCAR XFINITY Series, in which it won the 2014 championship with 20-year-old Chase Elliott. To learn more about the organization, its drivers and its sponsorship opportunities, visit www.jrmracing.com
