CONCORD, N.C. (July 1, 2011) – The Family Crisis Resource Center of Cumberland, Md. and Conquer Chiari are the most recent charities added to the 2011 Helmet of Hope, which Johnson will wear in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Richmond International Raceway in September.
Each organization will also receive a grant of $10,000.
Steve Richards of Performance Racing Network nominated The Family Crisis Resource Center of Cumberland, Md., the only program in Allegany County, Md. that provides comprehensive services to victims of domestic violence and sex crimes.
“The Family Crisis Resource Center in my hometown of Cumberland, Md. provides a safe haven for women and children of domestic violence. They can stay there, receive counseling, support to get through the legal system, and then are set up in an apartment/house when they’re ready to leave the Center. My Mom has volunteered in various capacities with the group which has helped countless families in the Western Maryland area since 1978,” explained Richards on his nomination form.
Julie Carter of Billings, Mont. nominated Conquer Chiari, which is dedicated to improving the experiences and outcomes of Chiari and Syringomyelia patients through accurate information, raising awareness & sponsoring research.
“There are thousands and thousands of Chiari patients all over America,” explained Carter. “Most people have still not even heard of Chiari and have no idea what it is. It is a terrible, excruciatingly painful brain defect that is taking our lives and destroying them. I myself have Chiari along with all three of my daughters. We have had multiple surgeries and unfortunately have more to look forward to.”
“Conquer Chiari has been doing a fantastic job of representing us, educating us and gathering research and researchers together to try to help us,” added Carter.
In its fourth year, the Helmet of Hope program gives fans and media members across the country the opportunity to nominate their charity of choice to be featured on Johnson’s helmet for a select race. Each charity also receives a grant of $10,000. To date, the program has contributed close to $200,000 to 37 different charities.
Johnson will draw one winner from a list of media submissions and one from a list of fan submissions each race weekend through the New Hampshire event in July. The Family Crisis Resource Center of Cumberland, Md. and Conquer Chiari joins 24 Hours of Booty, the Flagler County Education Foundation, Lollipop Theater Network, the Tennessee Chapter of the ALS Association, the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte and Els for Autism as charities that will be featured on the Helmet of Hope. The American Red Cross, which was placed on the helmet to kick off the event in response to recent tragedies across the nation, and Lowe’s Toolbox for Education, which the Jimmie Johnson Foundation partners with to fund Champions Grants, which are awarded to K-12 public schools in the hometowns where the Johnsons grew up and currently live, will also be featured.
Fans and media members may nominate their charity by visiting www.helmetofhope.org.
For more information about the most recently selected charities, visit www.familycrc.org andwww.conquerchiari.org.