As previously reported by GoodCelebrity, the NASCAR Foundation is holding its first-ever Foundation Honors Gala to celebrate “10 Years of Giving.” In light of has the unexpected passing of its Founder and Chairwoman Emeritus Betty Jane France in August, the event has taken on new significance.
Now, the Gala will pay tribute to France’s life and is being hosted by the France family including NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France, Betty’s son, and his wife Amy France. International Speedway Corporation CEO Lesa France Kennedy, Betty’s daughter, and NASCAR Vice Chairman and International Speedway Corporation Chairman Jim France, Betty’s brother-in-law, will also help emcee the event.
The Honors Gala takes place at in New York on Tuesday (September 27).
In addition, the Gala will celebrate the NASCAR Foundation’s exciting donation to the NYU Langone Medical Center. The $1 million charitable act is part of a multi-year partnership that will ultimately benefit hospitalized children. The Foundation’s goal is to enhance the Child Life Program at the Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital within the University’s medical center.
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. According to a press release, 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.”
The goal of this partnership is to ease the anxiety of children and their families during their hospital stay and promote faster recovery.
“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 exemplary model of care for children and their families.”
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.
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