No doubt these are tough economic times for almost everyone.
But if you've finished your Christmas shopping and still a few dollars left, or are looking for a last-minute gift for the NASCAR fans on your list, please consider a donation to NASCAR Foundation family of charities.
The foundation serves as an umbrella organization for a number of philanthropic groups with ties to the NASCAR community.
A number of studies have indicated that charitable giving is down this year across the board, making it even more imperative for all of us to support these organizations as they carry out their critical missions.
NASCAR fans are known for their generosity, even in a difficult economy. Here are just a few of the NASCAR Foundation charities - some well known and some lesser known - that could really use your help this holiday season:
Speediatrics: The entire sixth floor of the Halifax Health Medical Center in Florida is a NASCAR-themed pediatric general and intensive unit nicknamed "Speediatrics." The unit treats more than 2000 children annually with a staff of highly skilled doctors, nurses and technicians, and offers special amenities for patients to help make their hospital a little less frightening -- including visits from top NASCAR drivers.
The Formula Smiles Foundation - Started by NASCAR driver Juan Pablo Montoya and wife Connie, the foundation funds educational and sports programs in Colombia that teach values and improve the lives of children living in the most vulnerable zones of the country. One example is a youth soccer league that helps underprivileged children escape from a cycle of violence, drugs and gangs.
Racing 4 Literacy - A project of Morgan-McClure Motorsports, Racing 4 Literacy challenges 4th-6th grade students to improve their reading and writing skills by fulfilling a contract signed with their teachers. Upon completion of the program, students receive a visit from a team representative who presents them with a certificate, t-shirt, driver postcard and more. Racing 4 Literacy students have read and written book reports on more than 25,000 books as a result of the program.
The Denny Hamlin Foundation - The foundation supports a variety of children's charities - primarily the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - along with the Children's Hospital of Richmond, Virginia, and the Victory Junction Gang Camp. Hamlin formed the foundation earlier this year, noting that he has a family member with cystic fibrosis.
The Dale Earnhardt Foundation - One of the many beneficiaries of the foundation honoring the late NASCAR star is Feed the Children, which distributed 200 tons of food in 16 states where Earnhardt once raced - food that was used to feed more than 10,000 hungry children. The foundation's website offers several options for Earnhardt fans wishing to "continue the legend" of NASCAR's most revered driver.
The above is just a small sampling of over 30 charities listed on the NASCAR Foundation website (Foundation.NASCAR.com) with ties to NASCAR drivers, owners, families, team members and tracks.
Whatever group or cause you're interested in helping during this season of giving, chances are there's a NASCAR Foundation charity just waiting to receive your donation. Whether you contribute in your own name or on behalf of a loved one, you'll be making the holidays brighter for everyone touched by your generosity.
The thoughts and ideas expressed by this writer or any other writer on Insider Racing News, are not necessarily the views of the staff and/or management of IRN.
