NASCAR WCUP: Tide Racing Donates $35,000 to Give Kids The World
8 November 2000
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
Donation made Following Scott Pruett's NASCAR Winston Cup Race in Phoenix
HICKORY, NC- In line with their commitment to Give Kids The World, Tide Racing has donated $35,000 to the organization following Scott Pruett's race performance in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series Dura Lube 500 at Phoenix International Raceway (Phoenix, Ariz.) on Nov. 5, 2000.
Tide had pledged a $100 donation to Give Kids The World for every lap Pruett completed in the 312-lap Phoenix event. Pruett, driving a specially- painted No. 32 Tide/Give Kids The World Ford Taurus in honor of the charity, completed 310 circuits around the one-mile oval to earn a total of $35,000 (rounded up by Tide) for the day.
"We're thrilled to be able to contribute direct financial support to Give Kids The World through our Tide Racing program," said Tide spokesperson Molly Humbert. "This initiative is in its third year, and we've exceeded our donation expectations every time. It's especially gratifying to know that along with the financial contribution, we're also helping gain exposure for a place as special as Give Kids The World through our overall Tide Racing outreach."
Give Kids The World is a non-profit resort for terminally ill children whose one "wish" is to visit Central Florida's theme parks and attractions. Tide Racing annually conducts a car coloring contest for children who visit the resort, inviting them to design their own paint scheme for the No. 32 Tide Ford in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. This year's winner, Heather Mason (13, of Berkeley, Ill.), attended the Phoenix race to watch her very own car compete.
In addition to Tide Racing's monetary donation, Mattel has produced and
donated 75,000 commemorative miniature die cast cars based on Heather's
design. For a five-dollar donation to Give Kids The World, the cars can
be obtained either on the Tide merchandise trailer or through the Give
Kids The World website, www.gktw.org
Scott Pruett also created a special matching helmet, worn throughout
Phoenix race weekend, which he has signed and donated for an auction at
Give Kids The World to help raise additional funds.
"Being involved in the Give Kids The World program has been a really
special experience for me," Pruett said after the race. "To be able to
help provide exposure and raise money by just doing what I love, racing
cars, is truly an honor. As a father of three, I can understand how
brave these children and their families are for fighting the battles
they're faced with every day. I feel very fortunate to be involved with
Give Kids The World."
Because Give Kids The World collectible cars will continue to be made
available through the holiday season, Tide's total donation to the
charity is not yet known. Last year, donations from Tide Racing and the
collectible program enabled Tide to contribute a total of $315,000 to
Give Kids The World. Based on current donations, funds raised from this
year's outreach are expected to fall in the neighborhood of $400,000.
Text Provided By Amy Riley
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