Celebration 2012 at Martinsville Speedway on July 3 can be more than a good time for everyone. It can also be a way to help someone in need in the Martinsville and Henry County area.
The Fuel for Families Food Drive will again be held in conjunction with Celebration. Everyone attending the event is urged to bring non-perishable food and personal care items and drop them off at one of several collection areas at entrance gates and in the carnival ride area.
Celebration 2012, featuring Darryl Worley, David Lee Murphy and Bo Bice along with more than 15 children’s rides and games, is a free-to-the-public event in its 14th year.
The Fourth Annual Fuel for Families Food Drive is organized by the United Way of Henry County and Martinsville with all items collected going to four area agencies: The Grace Network, The Community Storehouse, The Salvation Army and Victory International Food Bank. Volunteers from those four agencies, along with the United Way, will staff collection points on the night of Celebration.
“This is an easy way for all of us to give back just a little bit and help so many people in need in our community,” said Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell. “It’s no secret our area has taken so many economic hits over the last few years and its left a lot of people struggling. On a day when we are celebrating our freedom, let’s all help out our neighbors.”
“Although food is one of the most basic needs, there are still people right here in Martinsville and Henry County who struggle to find enough of it to feed themselves and their families,” said Tiffani Underwood, executive director of the Henry County-Martinsville United Way.
Summer is a particularly difficult time for food banks as donations drop and the need increases with children out of school for the summer.
According to information supplied by the United Way, 27 percent of the children in Martinsville and Henry County live in poverty.
More than half of the children in the area qualify for free or reduced-price lunches in schools.
“The statistics show that there are a lot of people, especially children, that are having a hard time putting food on the table,” said Campbell. “What we all do on July 3rd can help so many people, especially children.”
Items most needed are non-perishable foods, beef stew, soups, peanut butter and canned vegetables, and personal care items such as deodorant and toothpaste.
Items may be dropped off at Martinsville Speedway office in advance of July 3 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
On the day of Celebration 2012, items may be dropped off at any entry gates and in the carnival ride area.
The children’s rides will open at 5 p.m. on July 3 and remain open until 11:30 p.m. The onstage entertainment will begin at 8 p.m. when Bo Bice takes the stage, followed by David Lee Murphy and Darryl Worley. All three performers will return to the stage together to close the show.
The fireworks are scheduled to begin immediately after the final song.
Fan gates will also open at 5 p.m.
Sponsors for Celebration 2012 include: American Global Logistics, Ameristaff, Applied Felts, Bassett Furniture, Bassett Office Supply, BB&T, Blue Ridge Aquaculture, Brad Parker Insurance Agency – Nationwide Insurance, Carter Bank & Trust, Chamber’s Partnership for Economic Growth, City of Martinsville, Collinsville Printing Co., Commonwealth Laminating, Cool Knobs & Pulls, Dillon Insurance, Fidelity Bank, Frith Construction, Gardner, Barrow, Sharpe and Reynolds, Henry County, Henry County Baptist Association, Hooker Furniture, Martinsville DuPont Credit Union, Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce, Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville Speedway Children’s Foundation, Masterbrand Cabinet, Memorial Hospital of Martinsville Henry County, Millard’s Machinery, Nelson Automotive Group, River Community Bank, RTI Martinsville Inc., Shenandoah Furniture, Solutia, Southwestern Virginia Gas, Stanley Furniture, Steve Martin Trenching, SunTrust Bank, Taco Bell, Tar heel Paper and Supply Co., The Lester Group, TR Properties, Tri State Foam, Virginia Mirror, West Window and Zenith Logistics.
Martinsville Speedway PR
