The same is certainly true in South Florida, an area which has unfortunately gone through its share of natural catastrophes in past years. As a result, it has had plenty of experience in coming together in difficult times.
This has been the case in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. A plethora of food giveaways, our healthcare workers setting new standards and our first responders keeping our neighborhoods safe are just a few of the many ways that South Florida has once again reached down deep to overcome a tragic situation.
A portion of this relief in Homestead came as a result of the NASCAR Foundation and the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series, the first race of which took place at the virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday, March 22 – the date of the originally scheduled NASCAR Cup Series Dixie Vodka 400.
Through efforts of The NASCAR Foundation, many of the sport’s corporate partners and several of its top drivers, the impact of that race was felt by those in need in Homestead. As a result of the virtual race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, more than $40,000 was raised to provide much-needed food and supplies through a partnership with Feed the Children.
Among NASCAR’s partners who contributed to this donation include Dixie Vodka, Coca-Cola Racing, FOX Sports and iRacing. The charitable foundations of 2020 DAYTONA 500 champion Denny Hamlin and 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick made donations as well.
The donation, which fed more than 1,000 families, was distributed at Homestead schools through the Miami-Dade County School Food Program, as well as the “Start off Smart” program, in conjunction with the Homestead Police Department.
“I have lived in Miami virtually my entire life, and never before have I seen so many help those in need in our local community as they have over the past several months,” said Homestead-Miami Speedway President Al Garcia. “The NASCAR Foundation does a tremendous job in spearheading support in many ways in racing communities throughout the country, and this was another example of their outstanding efforts.”