(Danville) — A local volunteer will get a lot of money to help a lot of children.
The NASCAR Foundation this weekend announced that God’s Pit Crew volunteer Judy Simmons had won their Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award. It recognizes NASCAR Fans who volunteer for children’s causes in their racing communities. It is one the premier sports philanthropic awards and it is decided upon by voters.
“This award means so much to God’s Pit Crew and me, and it will make a tremendous impact for the children we strive to provide healing to in the midst of disaster,” said Simmons. “With this award, we will be able to provide more hope and comfort to the young lives that need it most.”
Simmons specializes in assembling Play Pails. Those are sent to children who are victims of natural disasters. Play Pails are three-gallon buckets that include toys and activities, hygiene products, blankets, backpacks, and other essential items to help care for a child’s emotional needs following a disaster.
NASCAR will award $100,000 to help Simmons and others assemble thousands more Play Pails that will be distributed by God’s Pit Crew volunteers in disaster areas.
Simmons has been a member of the God’s Pit Crew disaster response team of more than 1,500 volunteers for six years, leading volunteer teams to provide essential needs to families and children in their time of crisis, including Play Pails that contain toys, games and hygiene items for children who have lost everything.
“Judy is an incredible person doing impactful work for families that have experienced hardship due to natural disasters, especially during the difficult times faced in Western North Carolina this year,” said Nichole Krieger, The NASCAR Foundation Vice President and Executive Director. “The $100,000 she won for God’s Pit Crew will allow them to continue providing essential items for kids and families in need in times of major weather event or crisis. Both Judy and her organization are very deserving of this award.”
Simmons earned the most online votes from a pool of nominees, including Tammy Raulerson with the Periwinkle Foundation in College Station, Texas; Carlos Washington with Boys and Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area in Florence, South Carolina; and Julie Woolridge with Hope of Mooresville in Mooresville, North Carolina. Each of these charities will receive a $25,000 donation from The NASCAR Foundation.