Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr., in coordination with Hendrick Motorsports, have united to pledge their support
Charlotte, NC (August 24, 2010) –The Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte is pleased to announce that three of NASCAR’s biggest stars have joined together to sponsor the building and outfitting of the toddler playroom at the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte.
The charitable foundations of drivers Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. joined their team, Hendrick Motorsports, in making a $75,000 combined donation toward a racing-themed room that will provide the house’s youngest guests with a fun and age-appropriate place to play and interact with other children.
“We are thrilled to receive the support of the Hendrick drivers,” said Mona Johnson-Gibson, Executive Director of the RMH of Charlotte. “The Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte will allow families to focus on what matters most – the healing of their child. We are honored that Jimmie, Jeff, Dale Jr. and the entire Hendrick Motorsports organization are joining us to help families with children battling serious illnesses in our community.”
This marks the first time that these drivers and their respective foundations have pledged their support to a single project in Charlotte as part of a united effort. They join fellow NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne and ESPN NASCAR analyst Ray Evernham as contributors to the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte.
“The Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte will provide support to children and their families when they need it most,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “It’s extremely important that our neighbors be aware of this wonderful addition to the community and all the different ways they can participate. From donations and sponsorships to volunteering, there’s no shortage of opportunities.”
This contribution helps bring the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte one step closer to their goal of completing their capital campaign. For additional information on various sponsorship opportunities, please contact Emily DiNunzio at (704) 335-1191. The RMH of Charlotte is currently under construction on East Morehead Street and is slated to open in early 2011.
About the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte
Currently, Charlotte is the only major U.S. city that does not have a RMH. The RMH of Charlotte is scheduled to open in early 2011 and will serve the families of children being treated at Levine Children’s Hospital and Hemby Children’s Hospital. Located at 1613 East Morehead Street on land donated by Carolinas Medical Center, the House will feature approximately 35,000 square feet of living space complete with 28 bedrooms (one family per bedroom/suite), providing more than 10,000 nights for the families. It is also scheduled to have a community kitchen, great room, library, playground and sitting porch. Construction began in early 2010. The RMH of Charlotte is an independent 501(c)(3) charity managed by a local board of directors which will oversee construction and operation of the home. The cost of building and operating the RMH of Charlotte will come primarily from individual and corporate donations. The RMH of Charlotte will be funded, constructed and operated by the Charlotte community. The mission of the RMH of Charlotte is to provide the families of children being treated in area medical facilities with a safe, affordable and caring “home away from home.” For more information on RMH of Charlotte, please visitwww.rmhofcharlotte.org.
About the Jimmie Johnson Foundation
Chandra and Jimmie Johnson launched the Jimmie Johnson Foundation in February 2006. Johnson, the four-time reigning Sprint Cup champion, drives the No. 48 Lowe’s Impala in NASCAR’s top series. The mission of the foundation is to assist children, families, and communities in need throughout the United States. The foundation has committed more than $3 million to various charities. For more information on the Jimmie Johnson Foundation, please visitwww.jimmiejohnsonfoundation.org
About the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation
The Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation was established as a non-profit 501c3 organization in 1999 by the four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. The Foundation supports children battling cancer by funding programs that improve patients’ quality of life, treatment programs that increase survivorship and pediatric medical research dedicated to finding a cure. The Foundation also supports the Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital in Concord, NC which serves children in the community by providing a high level of primary and specialty pediatric care. For more information on the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation, please visit www.jeffgordonfoundation.org.
About The Dale Jr. Foundation
The Dale Jr. Foundation is a charity dedicated to giving underprivileged individuals with a focu
s on youth, the resources to improve their confidence and education, and the opportunity to achieve extraordinary goals. Since its launch in 2007 by seven-time NASCAR Most Popular Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., The Dale Jr. Foundation has supported more than 250 organizations dedicated to improving the lives of those in need. For more information please visitwww.thedalejrfoundation.org