I hoped to find a career that allowed me to give back to others.

Florida: Home to sunshine and sea shells, Lilly Pulitzer, my family, and the Gators. That's what Florida means to me.

However, as a new resident of North Carolina I am coming to enjoy so much about this new place that I call home. I have come to know the thrill of living at the home of NASCAR, the tastes of Charlotte's many local eateries, outdoor festivals, and a tremendously giving city. As a student of Non-Profit Management at the University of Florida, I hoped to find myself in a career that allowed me to give back to others. Working with Speedway Children's Charities through the Lowe's Motor Speedway Internship Program has allowed me to do just that!

In these tough economic times we are forced to look at what is truly important in our lives. My time spent with SCC has allowed me the opportunity to be an advocate for children that are simply looking for the help they are in need of, whether it's a home, family or a good mentor this holiday season. It has also manifested the motto that hard work goes a long way. After watching countless hours put in by SCC staff to ensure that special events are very successful in order to help raise over $854,000 for local charities in need around the Charlotte region I have come to truly believe that I have chosen the right career path. I have also seen how many local & national businesses, race fans from all over the US, and local residents were willing to give of their own time and money to help others in need over the past few months.

So, hoping that the new year brings prosperous times for us all, another safe racing season, and even greater goals met for helping children in need, I say bring on the snow, the pecan pie and the 8 hour drive home through holiday traffic because, next year promises to be bigger and better for us all! I challenge everyone to be thankful for the gifts in this life, because unlike our favorite sport, there is only one race in the chase!

Christmas!

Just think - we are only 7 weeks away from Christmas! It's a very busy time for Speedway Children's Charities as we prepare for year end.

The SCC Christmas Tree Lot will open this month and run through the month of December. I always love picking out a NC fresh cut Frazier Christmas Tree & Wreath to go along with my other holiday decorations. If you are a fan of them, please stop by our tree lot and help support child in need while you get ready for the holidays!

Plans are under way for the SCC Tree Lighting & Grant Distribution on Monday, Nov. 30th. It's going to be a fun event so if you are in the area I hope you and your family will come out to join in for some early holiday celebration.

Amanda L. Hollingsworth
Speedway Children's Charities

Many ways to help during race week!

As we head into the busy race week, we can sometimes easily forget about the many ways you can help a child in need through Speedway Children's Charities while at the races next week at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

It's not too late to sign up for the Track Walk and I encourage you all to sign up this week online. You don't want to miss out on all the fun on-track while supporting our mission!

And while you're at the track, please be sure to stop by the Speedway Children's Charities Rig to learn more about SCC and to purchase $5 raffle tickets for a really cool custom made motorcycle. The rig is located across the street from the front entrance of the Speedway on "Souvenir Row".

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month the Speedway will have two vendors providing race fans the opportunity to purchase "Pink Items". Be sure to stop by the Susan G. Komen and Carolina Breast Friends displays to view the "Pink Items" & support those great causes!

It's not too late to place your last minute bids for the Driver Parade Lap and/or the LMS Experience On-Line Auctions. They have very exciting experiences available that will make a trip to the races an AWESOME experience you will never forget.

See you at the races!
Amanda

Fall is here!

My favorite festival in Charlotte was this past weekend - Festival in the Park.

I love attending every year to wander around the various artist tents to view there items from all over the US. For me, it's like the official kick off to fall here in Charlotte.

We are just a few weeks away now from the NASCAR Banking 500 only from Bank of America at Lowe's Motor Speedway. I hope you have reviewed the Charlotte Chapter "Calendar of Events" tied around the race. I am looking forward to going "PINK" at the Track Walk. This year the proceeds will not only benefit The NASCAR Foundation and Speedway Children's Charities but Susan G. Komen for the Cure as well in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Sign up today and/or register a Team

Once you sign up stay tuned about how you can win some cool weekly prizes!  Hope to see you at the Track Walk on Saturday, October 17th. Go PINK!

Amanda

How can you help?

Thank you again for all the ways that you supported Speedway Children's Charities this year. You and/or your company have made an impact on the lives of children in need in our community.

It's hard to believe the end of our fiscal year is just around the corner. Speedway Children's Charities is very busy with finalizing the plans for upcoming events during the NHRA races at the zMax Dragway. SCC has paired up with BRAKES again this year for two exciting fundraisers. There are several ways that you can participate:

Attend an event if you're in the area
Become a sponsor of the event
Volunteer
Donate prizes and/or auction items to our upcoming events
Make a donation to support our mission

If you would like to receive more information on the upcoming events and/or a brochure on SCC, please email me at ahollingsworth@smicorporate.com. Please note registration forms are due by September 14th. Reserve your spot today before the events sell out!

All the best-

Amanda

Can't Wait for NHRA

The 2nd Annual NASCAR Night at the zMax Dragway was a huge success. It was very cool to watch several of the NASCAR industry personnel come out to race there personal cars on the dragway.

Rick Hendrick, Greg Biffle and Marcus Smith were just a few of the people who participated. Special thanks to all the spectators who donated $5 to Speedway Children's Charities to watch the event.

One of the highlights of the night for me and my intern Kristen was our ride with our boss down the dragway in a Ford GT racing around 130 miles per hour. That experience has me pumped up for all of the NHRA events happening in September at the zMax Dragway. Get your tickets today for the racing and Speedway Children's Charities / BRAKES events before they are all sold out.

See you soon!

Amanda

My Place 2009 SUMMER CAMP

When school's out for summer most children think about all the wonderful opportunities summer brings them to do with their family and friends. One of those opportunities most likely will include summer camp.

Unfortunately, not everyone this summer will have an opportunity to attend summer camp. One non-profit organization in the Charlotte community that is providing an opportunity for homeless children to attend camp is A Child's Place.

A Child's Place is putting smiles on children's faces everyday this summer. This past Friday it put a big smile on my face as well as the two guests that came along with me to read to the 50 children attending the summer camp Freedom School put on by A Child's Place. General Sadler and racecar driver Caitlin Shaw joined me for a morning reading session that is part of the summer camp program.

Some of the books read included ABC's of NASCAR and a few of our favorites from when we were young: The Berenstain Bears' Family Reunion, Fancy Nancy at the Museum and Drip, Drop.

If you have some extra time this summer I want to encourage you to volunteer at a camp in your area. If you don't have a lot of free time to volunteer, monetary and in-kind donations are always needed. To make a donation today, click here.

Happy Summer Days-
Amanda

Amanda L. Hollingsworth

Children Like Caleb

Over the past year I have been volunteering my time to help children in need with Speedway Children's Charities.

I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to have a larger share in the wonderful work that SCC does for children and this past May I was able to become the Summer Intern. There is truly nothing that compares to helping a child in need.

We just wrapped up all of our May Race events, some of which included our Annual SCC Gala & Auction at the Ballantyne Resort, selling NASCAR Day pins for NASCAR Day, Corn Hole Competition during Speed Street at the EpiCentre, and the Track Walk at Lowe's Motor Speedway - all of which turned out to be a great success!

My most memorable moment of Race Weeks was meeting a little boy named Caleb from Lifespan. Lifespan helps children and adults with disabilities. Despite the rainy pre-race conditions, Caleb had the time of his life on Pit Road during Driver Introductions. He was able to meet many of the Nationwide Series drivers and even present a check from the Dale Jr. Foundation with Dale Jr! Seeing the look on Caleb's face that evening was priceless and something I'll never forget.

The feeling at the end of the day, knowing you've been able to help a child in need, is what's truly rewarding. It's because of children like Caleb that I continue to volunteer my time and proudly support the work of Speedway Children's Charities.

Hope to see you all at our next event!

Lauren R. Simpson
Charlotte Chapter Intern

See you at the races!!!

Ways to help support Speedway Children's Charities during the All-Star & Coca- Cola 600 Races at Lowe's Motor Speedway

1. Recycle items that can be placed in the recycling bins at Lowe's Motor Speedway
2. Nationwide Golf Carts / Shuttles - If you need a ride from one side of the track to the next a Nationwide Golf Cart can give you a ride for a small donation
3. Motorcycle Raffle Tickets - Stop by the Speedway Children's Charities Rig on Souvenir Row to enter
4. On-line Auction - Place you bid to ride along with one of 15 drivers for the pre-race introductions for the 50th running of the Coca-Cola 600.
5. Track Walk - Sign up to participate in the Lowe's Motor Speedway the morning of the Coca-Cola 600 on May 24, 2009
6. Purchase the David Poole book put together by the Charlotte Observer in his memory
7. NASCAR Day pins - Make a $5.00 donation to receive a NASCAR Day pin

The turtles are coming.....

LifeSpan & Speedway Children's Charities Turbo Turtle Race sales are now open and the race is on to get them all adopted. Get your turtles before they are all adopted!

May 9th will be here before you know it. Gather up your friends & family for the big race. You don't want to miss out on all the fun. Live bands and children's activities from 2 pm-5pm at Midtown Sundries. For more information and/or to adopt turtles now go to lakenormanturtlerace.com

See you at the race!

Amanda