MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Nov. 28, 2017) – On the occasion of his retirement from full-time racing, Dale Earnhardt Jr. showed that he is still full-time on helping to make a difference in as many lives as possible. Today, Earnhardt Jr. announced the creation of the Dale and Amy Earnhardt Fund at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
The fund, which was seeded with an $88,888 donation from The Dale Jr. Foundation, will champion the cause of pediatric injury rehabilitation, research and prevention at America’s largest pediatric hospital and research center. The fund launched today on Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving, and in conjunction with “Appreci88ion, An Evening with Dale Jr. presented by Nationwide” taking place tonight in Las Vegas as part of NASCAR’s Champions Week. The event, sponsored by Nationwide and hosted by Dale Jr., is a special celebration of Dale Jr.’s storied racing career and all proceeds from the event will benefit the newly-established Dale and Amy Earnhardt Fund at Nationwide Children’s.
“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,” Earnhardt Jr. 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.”
Monies raised during Earnhardt Jr.’s final season, as well as from long-time family partner Nationwide and the generosity of JR Nation, will complement the gift from the Dale Jr. Foundation, and the proceeds from tonight’s “Appreci88ion, An Evening with Dale Jr. presented by Nationwide” event in Las Vegas will push the total higher. The number will be announced at the conclusion of the event early Wednesday morning.
“The Dale Jr. Foundation is excited to join Dale Jr. and Amy in launching this long-term relationship with Nationwide Children’s Hospital,” said Kelley Earnhardt Miller, general manager of JR Motorsports and vice-president of The Dale Jr. Foundation. “This is an opportunity to spread our mission by helping children through an organization that has such a national impact. This marries so well with our ongoing commitment to help organizations of all sizes, both here in Charlotte and across America.”
Nationwide, long-time supporter of Nationwide Children’s, has been instrumental in introducing the Earnhardt family to the Hospital’s clinical and research mission and supporting fundraising efforts. Tonight continues that tradition of support as Nationwide, along with Dale Jr. and NASCAR, will generously donate all ticket proceeds of the “Appreci88ion, An Evening with Dale Jr. presented by Nationwide” event in Las Vegas to the Dale and Amy Earnhardt Fund.
“The addition of tonight’s proceeds and the generous support of JR Nation will help build on the incredible momentum for the launch of the Dale and Amy Earnhardt Fund at Nationwide Children’s,” said Mike Boyd, senior vice president of Marketing for Nationwide. “We’ve watched Dale and Amy build remarkable bonds with the patients and staff at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the Rehabilitation Unit during the past few years. We hope all Dale’s generous fans will join us in not only congratulating him, but also supporting his Fund and helping these children.”
Those wishing to contribute to the new Dale and Amy Earnhardt Fund and all others can join in by making their contributions at www.nationwidechildrens.org.
“On behalf of all the patients, families and staff at Nationwide Children’s Hospital we send our deepest gratitude to Dale Jr., Amy and everyone supporting this vitally important Fund,” said Steve Allen, MD, CEO of Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “Dale Jr. is a beloved NASCAR champion but many of his biggest fans are here on the floors of Nationwide Children’s. He and Amy have a special place in our hearts and this Fund will create a legacy that helps children for generations to come. Their involvement will help us continue our mission to help kids everywhere and support life-saving research and advocacy in pediatric injury.”