Jimmie Johnson Foundation announces ten Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope semifinalists

The Jimmie Johnson Foundation announced today the 10 semifinalists that are eligible for a $25,000 grant. In all, five grants are available through the Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope program. A public vote will take place April 17 through 24 at www.helmetofhope.orgto determine the five grant winners.

The Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope program, which began in 2008, allows fans and consumers across the country to nominate not-for-profit (501c3) organizations that support K-12 public education. The 10 semifinalists are:

  • Champions For Learning (Naples, Fla.)
  • Communities in Schools Spokane (Spokane, Wash.)
  • Crayons to Classrooms (Dayton, Ohio)
  • HEART Tutoring (Charlotte, N.C.)
  • LeMars Community Schools Foundation (LeMars, Iowa)
  • MeckEd (Charlotte, N.C.)
  • Partnership for Los Angeles Schools (Los Angeles)
  • Reading Partners (Denver, Colo.)
  • Solar One (New York)
  • Tucson Museum of Art Education Center (Tucson, Ariz.)

“Providing support for K-12 public education is something that has been important to (wife) Chandra and I since we started our foundation,” Johnson said. “We are really proud of the work we have been able to do through our relationship with Blue Bunny and the Wells Family (makers of Blue Bunny Ice Cream). Our team had a tough, tough time narrowing the field of nominations to 10 semifinalists. Now is the fun part – watching to see how each group mobilizes its efforts to get out the vote.”

In addition to a $25,000 grant, each of the five winners will receive a Blue Bunny ice cream party and special recognition on Johnson’s race helmet during the Sprint Cup Series race July 27 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. To date, the Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope program has contributed more than $560,000 to 71 different charities.

“It is exciting to see the unique and creative approaches to supporting education through the 10 semifinalist organizations,” said Mike Wells, President and CEO, Wells Enterprises, Inc., makers of Blue Bunny ice cream. “Each and every one of them brings a passion and commitment to learning that is impressive, and it will be an honor to help provide financial support to the five finalists.”

Jimmie Johnson Foundation PR