Partnership To Be Commemorated At First NASCAR Foundation Honors Gala Sept. 27 in NYC; Event Will Honor Life Of Foundation Chairwoman Emeritus Betty Jane France
NEW YORK, (Sept. 22, 2016) – The NASCAR Foundation will donate $1 million to NYU Langone Medical Center, as part of a multi-year partnership to benefit hospitalized children. Through this partnership, The NASCAR Foundation will enhance the Child Life Program at the Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital of New York at NYU Langone.
The partnership will be commemorated at the first-ever NASCAR Foundation Honors Gala taking place at The Marriott Marquis in New York on Sept. 27.
This is The NASCAR Foundation’s first multi-year partnership with a New York area hospital and marks its commitment to reach more kids nationally. NASCAR’s charitable arm has donated $25 million and impacted more than one million children since its inception in 2006.
“This is an important partnership for The NASCAR Foundation,” said NASCAR Vice Chairman Mike Helton. “The work being done by the NYU Langone Medical Center is changing lives, each and every day. The NASCAR Foundation is proud to have an opportunity to support that important work and expand our commitment to improving the lives of children in need.”
Through this partnership, the Child Life Program will ease the anxiety of children and their families during their hospital stay, which is essential to recovery. The NASCAR Foundation will support an enhanced child and family experience, fund two Child Life specialists, and provide resources, equipment and supplies to complement the wide-range of supportive and therapeutic activities currently offered at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at no charge to patients.
This marks an expansion of The NASCAR Foundation’s commitment to supporting children with Child Life programming as part of its signature Speediatrics program, which has provided more than 500,000 children with state-of-the-art medical care.
“As leaders in the field of pediatrics, we’re proud to partner with The NASCAR Foundation whose generous philanthropic support provides extensive and meaningful programs to help children and their families,” said Catherine S. Manno, MD, the Pat and John Rosenwald Professor and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at NYU Langone. “This sponsorship, in concert with our Sala Institute for Child and Family Centered Care, will strengthen our national exemplar model of care for children and their families.”
The NASCAR Foundation Honors Gala, which was planned to celebrate “10 Years of Giving,” has taken on additional significance following the unexpected passing of its Founder and Chairwoman Emeritus Betty Jane France last month.
The Gala will be a tribute to Betty Jane France’s life and is being hosted by the France family including NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France (son) and his wife Amy France, International Speedway Corporation CEO Lesa France Kennedy (daughter) and NASCAR Vice Chairman and International Speedway Corporation Chairman Jim France (brother-in-law).
At the Honors Gala, various awards will be bestowed, including:
- Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award presented by Nationwide: One of four finalists will be announced as the winner following a fan vote which has taken place since July 13. The NASCAR Foundation will donate a total of $175,000 to the charities represented by the finalists – with the winner’s charity receiving a $100,000 donation. This year’s finalists include Jim Giaccone of Bayville, New York, representing Tuesday’s Children; Andy Hoffman of Atkinson, Nebraska, founder of the Team Jack Foundation; Logan Houptley of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a founding member of Mikayla’s Voice; and Parker White of Greensboro, North Carolina, founder of BackPack Beginnings. Since the award’s inception, nearly $900,000 has been contributed to charities represented by the finalists.
- Children’s Champion Award: Dr. Howard B. Ginsburg: The William F. and Virginia Connolly Mitty Associate Professor of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, and Division Chief, Pediatric Surgery at NYU Langone, will receive the award recognizing his commitment to children.
- Founder’s Award: NBC Sports Group Chairman Mark Lazarus will receive the award recognizing his contributions to philanthropy.
The Honors Gala will be headlined by Grammy® and Tony® nominated singer Sara Bareilles.
The following NASCAR champions and rising stars will be in attendance: six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson, seven-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Richard Petty, reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Kyle Busch, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion, NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace, two-time NASCAR XFINITY Series Champions Martin Truex Jr. and Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Danica Patrick, Kyle Larson, Kasey Kahne, Ben Kennedy and Julia Landauer.
This event builds on NASCAR’s long history in New York. The racing organization opened its first office in Manhattan in 1996 and is based out of the newly renovated New York headquarters at 590 Madison Avenue.
This partnership also marks further collaboration between NYU and NASCAR. In March, Brian France participated in NYU’s first Social Responsibility of Sports Conference where he pledged NASCAR’s support to improve social responsibility in sports.
For ticket information or table sponsorships, please visit www.nascarfoundation.org/honors-gala.
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Honors Gala | The NASCAR Foundation www.nascarfoundation.org About the Event Celebrating “10 Years of Giving” Honorees Mark Lazarus, NBC Sports Group Howard B. Ginsburg, NYU Langone Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award … |
About The NASCAR Foundation
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing Inc. (NASCAR) established The NASCAR Foundation in January 2006 to support initiatives that positively affect the lives of children throughout the United States. The 501(c) (3) non-profit entity partners with medical experts and other charitable organizations to fund children’s health care programs. Now celebrating 10 Years of Giving in 2016, The NASCAR Foundation has cumulatively donated $25 million to reach more than one million children. For more information on The NASCAR Foundation, please visit: NASCARfoundation.org. Follow The NASCAR Foundation on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/NASCARFoundation or on Twitter: @NASCAR_FDN.
About NYU Langone Medical Center
Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital of New York at NYU Langone Medical Center, believes that caring for infants, children, and teenagers is a special privilege. That’s why partnering with children and their families to deliver expert medical and surgical care is mission central. These partnerships are fostered by programs supported by the Sala Institute for Child and Family Centered Care. More than 400 doctors – along with nurses, child life specialists, social workers, and other medical professionals – are committed to providing personalized, compassionate care that addresses the needs of the entire family. NYU Langone Medical Center experts treat children with conditions ranging from minor illnesses to complex, more serious issues at locations throughout the New York area.
