12/02/2004

RACING FOR SMILE RECIPIENT OF AARN CHARITY AUCTION

Racing For Smiles will be the recipient of the funds generated by the AARN Motorsports 2005 Charity Auction at the Motorsports show in Fort Washington, PA in January. The upcoming show is January 14th -16th the Expo Center in Ft. Washington PA.  It includes almost every form of auto racing on the eastern U.S. coast. Ron Hubscher will head up the Racing for Smiles (RFS) volunteers.  Traveling all the way to Charlotte, NC, Ron will pick up a slew of donations from a wide variety of Nascar teams.  Ron ran the auction for the last 12 years for the Burn foundation of Philadelphia, who will not be participating at the event this coming year.

 

What is Racing for Smiles?  "Racing for Smiles" was founded in 1997. It is a racing charity specifically developed to make the dreams come true for many young race fans that are seriously ill with cancer or other life-threatening illnesses or injuries.  It is the goal of the persons who oversee the program to make a day to remember for these children, helping to make a day that has nothing to do with hospitals, doctors, or pain.  All Racing for Smiles events include an all-expense paid visit to a racetrack for the children and their families where they can meet the drivers, receive gifts, autographs and other items.

 

Len Sammons, President of Area Auto Racing News was instrumental in choosing Racing for Smiles for this much-anticipated racer's event with the help of Jason Arthofer of Speedboys in Wind Gap, PA.  When Jason heard of the Racing for Smiles organization, he quickly contacted Sammons and Sue Ziegler, who is the head coordinator of the northeaster PA Racing for Smiles chapter.  Together, they laid out the format for this year's Motorsports auction.

 

An official check presentation will take place at the conclusion of the show.  All funds received will be put to use throughout the northeast, allowing ill children to experience something that they will remember for the rest of their lives.  Of course, Racing for Smiles is not a cure for any disease, but it is a true remedy.

 

Sue Ziegler's daughter, Jackie, is an up and coming late model driver.  In 2005 Jackie's plans are to race at a wide range of speedways on the northeast. Following in the footsteps of Zig Ziegler, Jackie's father, she has been making quite a name for herself in a number of divisions.  Jackie's late model will be on display at the show and the Ziegler's will also be offering pictures taken with Jackie and her car for the fundraiser.  Some of the Racing for Smiles children are also scheduled to appear at the show and tell of their experiences at the racetrack.

 

Any donations are more than welcome.  So far the Ziegler's have managed to round up a few local donations, racing related items and even some "vintage" NASCAR Busch Series, Craftsman Truck Series and Nextel Cup "race-used" sheet metal.

 

For more information, please contact Sue Ziegler at suzyqst@aol.com.  Please mention RFS in the subject line.  For the 2005 Motorsports show info, please visit www.aarn.com

 

Sources:  Geno Ostrowski/Racing for Smiles PR
Posted:  December 6, 2004