CONCORD, N.C. – Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his wife, Amy, have long been supporters of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, so much so that an activity room at the hospital was dedicated in their name earlier this year.
That’s why today – Giving Tuesday – the driver was ecstatic to announce the formation of the Dale and Amy Earnhardt Fund at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
The Dale Jr. Foundation will launch the fund with a gift of $88,888.88.
“Amy and I are incredibly proud to make this announcement and to continue to be involved with Nationwide Children’s Hospital as I step away from racing,” the driver said. “These children and their families go through so much during rehabilitation and pediatric injury research is really underfunded. We want to support them and give hope to children everywhere by speeding research discoveries and being an advocate for this important issue of injury prevention. This also allows us to grow and expand the mission of The Dale Jr. Foundation, which is to help children in need and see them achieve their full potential.”
The fund will champion the cause of pediatric injury rehabilitation, research and prevention at America’s largest pediatric hospital and research center.
In addition to the launch gift, money generated throughout the year’s fundraising efforts will be added to the fund. That will include all proceeds from Tuesday night’s special event, “Appreciation: An Evening with Dale Jr. presented by Nationwide.” Inside the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, NASCAR and Nationwide will bring together fans, family, friends, key influencers in his racing life and a few surprise guests to join Earnhardt and tell stories.
At the end of the evening, the final amount that will kickstart the fund will be announced.
Fans can join the Earnhardts and add to that total by donating to the fund. The first 88 donors of $288 or more will receive an autographed piece of race-used sheet metal from one of Earnhardt’s No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolets from his final season in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Any donor contributing a gift of $188 or more will have his or her name recognized in the Dale and Amy Earnhardt Jr. Activity Room with an optional personalized message to the Earnhardts.
To learn more or donate, click here.