BRISTOL, Tenn., April 4, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- NASCAR driver Erik Jones is racing for more than a win at this Sunday's Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Should he find victory lane in the No. 20 Toyota, CRAFTSMAN will donate $1 Million to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN Hospitals) through the Ace Hardware Foundation.
"This is my first year supporting the 'Racing for a Miracle' program and I couldn't be more excited," said Erik Jones. "I've seen this program develop over the past few years and have always been inspired by the concept. Today, I met my amazing honorary crew members, Gavin, Arianna, Colt and Madison, who helped design my CRAFTSMAN Camry for this weekend. I can't wait to get to the track in Bristol and represent these guys, and all of the children at Niswonger Children's Hospital, as we compete on Sunday and hopefully end the day with a trip to victory lane."
The Racing for a Miracle program is in its 13th year, aimed at driving awareness for the vital work that CMN Hospitals do to help treat their patients around the country. This year, through CMN Hospitals, the CRAFTSMAN team has recruited four children from Niswonger Children's Hospital to be honorary crew members for the April 7 th race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Niswonger Children's Hospital is the Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia region's only children's hospital, and the regional affiliate of CMN Hospitals.
These four children had a unique opportunity to work with Richard Rawlings, star of "Fast N' Loud" and owner of Gas Monkey Garage, to help design the car that Jones will drive on Sunday. The honorary crew team will get a behind-the-scenes VIP experience with Jones on Sunday, and finally get to watch their car race for $1 Million.
"This has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me," said Richard Rawlings. "I've worked on cars and I've created brands, but never like this. Getting the opportunity to design a car with these four kids was truly inspirational. I hope that when Erik drives this car on Sunday, he feels the passion and heart that went into this design."
Jones visited Niswonger Children's Hospital today to unveil the special paint scheme with all four child designers and guests. The children each designed a unique kite that's shown on the car. These kites were inspired by stained glass kites that hang throughout Niswonger Children's Hospital, signs of hope and healing for the patients. The four children wanted this passion and courage to inspire Erik as he races this weekend.
Jones also spent time visiting with hospital patients and presented the Ace Hardware Foundation with a $100,000 donation check from CRAFTSMAN. Additionally, Ace Hardware Foundation presented a $25,000 check to Niswonger Children's Hospital.
"We are so grateful for the generosity of these outstanding organizations and their support of Niswonger Children's Hospital," said Lisa Carter, chief executive officer of Niswonger Children's Hospital. "As our region's only children's hospital, we serve 200,000 children in a 29 county area, and donations like this one make such a huge difference in their lives."
Over the past 13 years, the Racing for a Miracle program has donated $1.3 Million to local CMN Hospitals around the country through the Ace Hardware Foundation.
Stanley Black & Decker (CRAFTSMAN's parent company) is particularly excited to support Niswonger Children's Hospital this year, thanks to their long history as a partner. Stanley Black & Decker's security and healthcare divisions have enjoyed several initiatives over the past three years supporting this hospital as they work to improve healthcare in Tennessee.
Fans can follow Jones and the No. 20 CRAFTSMAN team this weekend at #Racing4Miracles. To make a donation to the Racing for a Miracle campaign, benefiting Niswonger Children's Hospital, click here.
About CRAFTSMAN
CRAFTSMAN is the American icon that homeowners, home builders, auto enthusiasts and master mechanics have trusted since 1927 – and today's CRAFTSMAN continues that legacy. With a focus on reliable, high-performance tools, storage and equipment, CRAFTSMAN has revived its long-established pride in superior quality. Now it's easier than ever to get the tools trusted for generations at more places than ever. For more information visit www.craftsman.com or follow CRAFTSMAN on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
About Stanley Black & Decker
Stanley Black & Decker is a $14 billion revenue, purpose-driven industrial organization. Stanley Black & Decker has 58,000 employees in more than 60 countries and operates the world's largest tools and storage business, the world's second largest commercial electronic security company, a leading engineered fastening business as well as Oil & Gas and Infrastructure businesses. The company's iconic brands include Black & Decker, Bostitch, CRAFTSMAN, DEWALT, FACOM, Irwin, Lenox, Porter Cable and Stanley. Stanley Black & Decker is a company for the makers and innovators, the craftsmen and the caregivers, and those doing the hard work to make the world a better place. Learn more at www.stanleyblackanddecker.com.
About Children's Miracle Network Hospitals
Children's Miracle Network Hospitals® raises funds and awareness for 170 member hospitals that provide 32 million treatments each year to kids across the U.S. and Canada. Donations stay local to fund critical treatments and healthcare services, pediatric medical equipment and charitable care. Since 1983, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $5 billion, most of it $1 at a time through the charity's Miracle Balloon icon. Its various fundraising partners and programs support the nonprofit's mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Find out why children's hospitals need community support, and learn about your member hospital, at CMNHospitals.org and facebook.com/CMNHospitals.
About the Ace Hardware Foundation
As the official charitable division of Ace Hardware Corporation, the Ace Hardware Foundation helps enhance the vision of being the "Helpful Place" in local communities across the country and around the globe through charitable giving. The Ace Foundation provides support and philanthropic opportunities to its consumers, retail store owners, vendors and team members to give back to local communities through fundraising efforts for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Ace Hardware has been a national partner for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals for the last 27 years, raising over $100 million during that time.
About Ace Hardware
Ace Hardware is the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world with more than 5,200 locally owned and operated hardware stores in approximately 70 countries. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., Ace and its subsidiaries operate an expansive network of distribution centers in the U.S. and have distribution capabilities in Ningbo, China; Colon, Panama; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Since 1924, Ace has become a part of local communities around the world and known as the place with the helpful hardware folks. For more information, visit acehardware.com or newsroom.acehardware.com
About Niswonger Children's Hospital
Located in Johnson City, Tennessee, Niswonger Children's Hospital is the region's only children's hospital. It serves more than 200,000 children in a 29-county radius in Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, Southeast Kentucky and Western North Carolina. Niswonger Children's Hospital provides the region's only pediatric oncology and hematology program, serving more than 300 children with cancer and blood disorders, and is home to one of eight St. Jude Affiliate Clinics in the nation. The children's hospital also offers more than 20 pediatric subspecialties, including pediatric cardiology, pediatric surgery, pediatric endocrinology and pediatric gastroenterology. Learn more about Niswonger Children's Hospital at www.BalladHealth.org/children.
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SOURCE Stanley Black & Decker