MIS Partners With Area Charitable Organizations
By John Wells
This year MIS has reached out to area charitable organizations with a variety of activities and four special nights at the speedway.
The Badger Honor Flight of Wisconsin, Ronald McDonald House of Madison, and American Red Cross will be very visible at MIS this season being involved in several events along with their own special nights. The River Food Pantry and Salvation Army will also be making appearances at the track.
“We are more than happy to reach out to these area organizations who do so much for the people of our communities,” said MIS Business / Marketing Manager Jason Tyler. “These organizations are going to be very visible at the track this year and we are hoping that the fans come out and support them.”
On Friday, June 29th MIS will be recognizing the Badger Honor Flight of Wisconsin during the annual Fireworks Extravaganza Night. “Our veterans have done so much for all of us and the freedoms we enjoy today,” added Tyler. All veterans and active duty personnel will be admitted free on this night.
The Badger Honor Flight is an affiliate of the national Honor Flight Network. Their purpose is to ensure that WWII and terminally ill veterans from any war have the opportunity to see the memorials that have been erected in their honor.
The Ronald McDonald House of Madison will be the featured charity on Friday, July 6th as part of the Triple Crown Challenge and weekly racing program. This group is dedicated to helping kids heal and keeping kids healthy. When children require treatment at Madison area medical facilities, the Ronald McDonald House Charities provides families with a place to stay together while in Madison. They also offer the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile providing free medical and dental services in south central Wisconsin.
The River Food Pantry and Salvation Army will be at MIS on Friday, July 27th when the Faster Pastor Race joins the weekly racing program. Non-perishable food items will also be collected at the gate for the River Food Pantry. They are a non-profit organization driven by volunteers and the faith based community to provide hot meals, groceries, clothing, and household items to Dane County familieis in need. Money raised for the Salvation Army will go to disaster relief in areas ravaged by early spring tornadoes.
MIS Track Chaplain Todd Christopherson who helps coordinate the Faster Pastor event had this to say: “It is a great event that the pastors and church really enjoy. The pastors are always thrilled to drive a real race car and help to raise money for the charities. The charities are grateful to partner with the track and receive canned goods and money for their cause.”
The weekly racing season comes to a close on Friday, August 17th with the Bob Schmelzer Memorial Season Champions and a night in which MIS will partner up with the American Red Cross. Not only does the American Red Cross provide disaster relief, but they also provide community services that help the needy, support and comfort for military members and their families, the collection, processing and distribution of blood and blood products, educational programs to promote safety and health, and international development and relief programs.
Each charity night will find the drivers and teams passing the helmet during intermission with all money going to the featured charity. In addition, MIS will match the total amount collected from the helmet passing.
“These organizations will be active partners with MIS in 2012. We are more than happy to work closely with them for the great causes they support,” added Tyler.