Just days after The NASCAR Foundation recognized Michigan International Speedway as Track of the Year for its community and charitable involvement, MIS Cares has awarded some $75,000 for local groups, nearly doubling what it gave last year.
MIS Cares, the charitable arm of Michigan International Speedway, handed out awards to 14 area organizations during the track’s annual community luncheon on Wednesday. Organizations that will benefit from MIS Cares include:
• Lenawee Symphony Orchestra ($1,500)
• Raisin Valley Land Trust ($3,000)
• Sand Lake Volunteers Fire Department ($5,000)
• City of Jackson Human Relations Commission Middle School Challenge ($2,500)
• Special Olympics Area 19 ($2,850)
• Associated Charities of Lenawee Back to School Program ($2,375)
• The Daily Bread of Lenawee No Child Goes Hungry ($3,000)
• Family Services and Children’s Aid Breakout Drug Education Program ($9,600)
• Columbia Elementary School’s Reading and Learning Garden ($8,925)
• Boys and Girls Club of Lenawee ($5,000)
• Therapeutic Riding’s Adopt-A-Horse Program ($5,000)
• The Dahlem Conservancy ($7,750)
• Allegiance Health’s Healthy Start in Life ($10,000)
• St. Mary of Good Council’s food pantry ($2,500)
“We have been very fortunate to raise much-needed funds during some successful events this year, allowing us to give back to our community,” Director of Government and Community Affairs for MIS Alisha Cottrell said. “There are so many great charities out there and we are so pleased that our efforts will do so much good for so many people.”
The speedway also announced it will award a $5,000 scholarship to a local student in 2012. Details and qualifications for applying will be released in January.
MIS was recognized by The NASCAR Foundation on Nov. 30 as Track of the Year for its community involvement and fund-raising. The racetrack annually hosts the annual Spirit of America, the nation’s largest 9-11 blood drive, and, among other things, has partnered with NASCAR drivers Ryan Newman and Brad Keselowski on charitable events.
The racetrack’s most notable annual fund-raiser is Fish Your Bass Off, a fishing tournament and live auction with Newman, ESPN’s Mark Zona and Michigan native and champion bass fisherman Kevin VanDam at Jerry’s Pub on Wamplers Lake. The event has grown in its two years to be one of the area’s most popular events.
The $75,000 donated this year nearly doubles the $48,000 given last year. Even so, the MIS Cares Board has vowed to continue to grow fund-raising efforts year over year and give even more back to more groups in the future.
But that’s not all. Throughout the year, MIS Cares and Michigan International Speedway donate money, tickets and the use of the facility and equipment to area organizations, charities and service groups free of charge. In 2011, the amount donated to these charities totaled more than $200,000.
MIS Cares was started in 2009 to raise money and distribute the charitable dollars through grants to non-profit groups in the region. It’s a way to give back to the community because as track President Roger Curtis says: “We live, work and play here. So it’s important for MIS and its employees to get involved and be a part of the community – for our community.”
MIS PR
