Serendipity, chance, fate, providence—call it whatever you like but this is so cool, I just had to share it. By now you probably know that my debut novel, Angel Beneath My Wheels, is set on a backdrop of racing. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that I work with a guy who happens to be an announcer for Motor Racing Network. Every weekend, Jeff Striegle leaves behind his day job to follow the NASCAR Sprint Cup series where he provides minute-by-minute commentary of the action on the track to radio listeners across the country.
What’s even more astounding is the man himself. With a heart for kids, a passion for racing and an unfettered desire to serve, Jeff Striegle and colleague, Norm Jelsma, founded Racing Awareness Inc. for the sole purpose of helping sick and injured children and their families.
Their mission is to raise awareness and financial support for the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and its pediatric cancer research programs while providing a diversion for sick and injured children through auto racing. To date, Racing Awareness Inc. has raised over $250,000 for the hospital and its cancer research programs.
2016 marks Racing Awareness Inc.’s seventh competitive season of short track racing at the Berlin Motor Speedway, located in Marne, just twenty minutes west of Grand Rapids, Michigan. With three sponsored cars, they provide a distraction from the healthcare process to children being treated at the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. The kids and their families are invited to visit the track, meet the drivers, collect autographs, and have their picture taken with the drivers. The Racing Awareness team also makes personal visits and phone calls to young patients who can’t make it to the track.
Funded exclusively through corporate sponsors, fundraising events, public appearances, and donations, Jeff Striegle, Norm Jelsma and the Racing Awareness Team are making a real difference in the lives of sick and injured children. Want to really be touched? Read their stories at RacingAwareness.com.
Have you touched anyone lately?