CONCORD, N.C. – With the recovery efforts from Hurricane Harvey ongoing and Hurricane Irma making landfall in Florida over the weekend, the Hendrick Motorsports drivers’ disaster relief fund is as important as ever.
Thanks to donations from each of the drivers, the Hendrick Motorsports organization and Hendrick Automotive Group along with contributions from the public, the fund has raised more than $330,000.
The goal is to reach $500,000 by Sept. 20 in order to support communities affected by natural disasters. Tax-deductible donations can be made at HendrickRelief.org.
This weekend at Richmond Raceway, Dale Earnhardt Jr. addressed the impact that Hurricane Irma was set to have in Florida, including Key West.
“We got to know that whole community down there really well,” he said. “We have been going down there half a dozen times a year for the last 10 years, so we have met just about everybody in town and built a lot of good friendships. So, just hoping the community pulls together, they get through it and then they pull together and fix everything that gets torn up.”
As of Monday, Irma has been downgraded to a tropical storm, but still brings winds of 70 mph as it moves through Florida toward Georgia and Alabama.
“It’s been devastating already – there are a lot of folks that are in bad shape and it’s not finished yet,” Earnhardt said. “So, just praying for everybody.”
For more information and to join the effort and donate to the drivers’ disaster relief fund, visit HendrickRelief.org.
All funds raised during the campaign will aid nonprofit organizations that directly support those affected by recent and impending natural disasters. Representatives from each of the four driver foundations and Hendrick Motorsports will work to identify where funds should be directed. Emphasis will be placed on organizations that directly support communities affected by natural disasters and that maintain efficient operations to assure the most money possible will go toward helping those impacted.