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Sprint Car Drivers Race to Find Families for Adoptive Youths
WILLIAMS GROVE- As part of Central Pennsylvania's 410 Sprint Car Speed Week, Diakon Adoption and Foster Care, along with public and private adoption providers, are finalizing plans for an original event that teams children searching for families with the racing community Adoption Night at Williams Grove Speedway.
Forty teams and drivers will show their support for adoption during the Mitch Smith Memorial Speed Week race scheduled for July 6 at Williams Grove Speedway. During the race, 40 sprint cars will feature photos of 63 children searching for a permanent family. Their photos will be displayed on a temporary vinyl wing covering on the cars' top wing panels.
To make the evening special for these children, 40 of the featured youths will attend the race to meet the driver displaying their photo and watch the race to root on their respective drivers. Last year, five children found adoptive families as a result of this event.
Not only is this a wonderful opportunity to educate racing fans about the great kids who are searching for a family, it is an evening of fun for these kids, says Elisa Esh, Diakon Adoption and Foster Care. They have the opportunity to attend the race but to also meet other youths searching for a family. It helps them to realize that they are not alone.
In addition, Diakon Adoption and Foster Care in collaboration with Dauphin and Montgomery County Children and Youth Agencies, Bethanna, Project STAR, AdoptionLinks, NHS Northwestern Human Services, will host an Adoption Fair outside the pit entrance area speedway gates to further enhance their efforts to promote adoption awareness. The fair will provide opportunities for racing fans to learn about adoption, meet children searching for a family, as well as help families already in the adoption process to meet and talk with other adoptive parents as well as adoption professionals.
The Pennsylvania Heart Gallery, a professional photography exhibit featuring the faces of Pennsylvania children waiting for a family, will be open from 3 - 7:30.
This is the fourth year for Adoption Night at Williams Grove Speedway. Last year's Adoption Night was a huge success and five children were matched with adoptive families. The tremendous support received from
both the adoption and sprint car communities will make this year's event bigger and better. According to Esh, You never know what people are willing to do until you ask, and in this case, everyone involved in this event has been incredibly generous in their support and has gone above and beyond to help us make this event a reality.
The listing of event sponsors continues to grow. Victory Lane Sponsors include: WOMEX, Inc, Golden' Roofing Supply, J&K Salvage, Darrah Motorsports, Eichelberger's U Pull It, Butcher Motorsports, Miller Brothers Chevrolet, The Kevin Gobrecht Memorial Foundation, C&S Lawn and Landscaping, Inc., American Eagle Outfitters, Hollinger's Sports Turf, Project STAR, Pig Tails BBQ, Sweeney Signs and Digital Effects of Mechanicsburg.
In addition to drivers displaying the youths' photos on their cars during the evening, participating sprint car teams and drivers have also donated race apparel to be thrown to the crowd before the consolation and feature races that evening. Thousands of commemorative items will be distributed to the crowd as well.  Fireworks will be the event grand finale.
For racing fans, the first 350 children entering the speedway will receive a free Kid's Meal Coupon courtesy of Burger King or a Jr. Frosty from Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers. Diakon Adoption and Foster Care will also present prizes including gift cards to local restaurants, sport businesses, and other venues by program ticket number.
The following Super Sprint Car team owners and sponsors, independent businesses and individuals have provided monetary donations to purchase Speedway tickets, refreshments for prospective adoptive families and waiting children, and/or provided giveaway items for the sprint car audience and waiting children in attendance.
Checkered Flag Sponsors: Diversified Machine, Inc., Hoosier, Doorways Unlimited, Hyper Racing, Inc., Edward H. Hall, Penske, York Excavating Co. Inc., Kinard Trucking, Don Ott Racing Engines, Inc., The Kulps, Pearl Technologies, Inc., Trone Outdoor Advertising, Jakes' Rentals, Jennifer Callahan Massage Therapy, Giant Food Stores, Rahmer Family Motorsports, Bethanna, Old Country Buffet, Hyper Racing, Absolute Graphics,
Green Flag Sponsors: Universal Electrical Service Co., Inc., Nancy and Glenn Rudisill, J&S Fabrication, Rock-It-Pizza, Fast Signs, Hoosier Tires, Alvin R. Beam Painting Contractor, L C Motorsports, AdoptionLinks, Wings Unlimited, Roger and Suzanne Hall, K.B. Godshall Collision Repair,
Pit Crew Sponsors: Larry McCarl and Family, Ski Roundtop, M&Z Carpets, Ralph E. Jones, Inc., Graham Motor Company, Inc., Manatawny Manor, Hatboro Car Care, Gerald and Jennifer Frasso, Rich and Diane Fox, Doug Esh, Leppo Racing and Swope Racing, Allebach Racing, Fairview Township EMS, Harrisburg Senators, Hatboro Car Care Center, Karns Foods, Weis Markets
Starting Line Sponsors: Harrisburg Senators, Lance Dewease, M. Judith Ludwig, Susquehanna Valley Harley-Davidson, Wholesale Auto Racing, Don Kreitz. Jr. , Greg Hodnett, Chad Trout, Adrian Shaffer, BG Motorsports, Michael Carber, Chad Layton.
Currently more than 3,400 special needs children wait to be adopted in Pennsylvania. Of those, more than 1,300 children with a goal of adoption do not have a permanent family identified. The majority of the children range in ages from 10 - 18. Most have special needs, special needs vary and can be medical, emotional or physical disabilities. Single or two-parent families can adopt, regardless of race or age.
If you think you can open your heart and your home to a child in need or just want more information, please contact Elisa Esh, Diakon Adoption and Foster Care, at 800-723-7038 or visit www.diakon.org or www.adoptpakids.org.
Diakon Adoption and Foster Care is a program of Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries. Providing senior living accommodations, health care, and a range of family and children's programs in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware, Diakon serves people without regard to religious affiliation. Dating to 1868, the nonprofit organization annually touches the lives of thousands of persons through programs ranging from adoption and foster care and services for at-risk youths to family counseling and continuum-of-care retirement communities.
To learn more about Diakon, visit www.diakon.org.
They don't even know how to spell sprint car
much less chromoly...http://www.ycmco.com
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