FRM Driver Makes Miracle Child ‘Driver for a Day’ at Chicagoland, Visits Children’s Miracle Network Hospital to Promote Fundraising Campaign
STATESVILLE, N.C. (September 8, 2014) – There will be two drivers wearing bright yellow Love’s Travel Stops firesuits on Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver David Gilliland will look familiar, but alongside him will be nine-year-old Jack Czapla, a Chicago-area “miracle child” celebrating life as a healthy kid after beating a two-year bout with leukemia.
The miniature “driver for a day” will top off Love’s Travel Stops’ and Gilliland’s week of promoting Love’s annual fundraising campaign for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a non-profit organization that raises funds for 170 children’s hospitals across North America.
In addition to wearing a replica of Gilliland’s racing uniform, Jack will participate with Gilliland in driver appearances at the track, the official Sprint Cup Series drivers’ meeting and on-stage driver introductions before the race. While he will not get to drive the No. 38 Love’s Travel Stops Ford, he will get to watch all the action of the race atop the Front Row Motorsports pit box. The Mundelein, Ill., boy also created artwork that will be featured on the hood of the No. 38 Ford and on Gilliland’s helmet.
Promotion of the Love’s fundraising campaign will also feature a Thursday afternoon visit by Gilliland and a Love family member and owner to the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, where Jack was treated. The visit will include a meet-and-greet with patients, a check presentation by Love’s and a tour of the facility.
“I’m really looking forward to visiting the children’s hospital and seeing the great work that these doctors and nurses do,” said Gilliland, a father of two. “As a parent, it just breaks your heart to know the things that these kids have to go through. And it makes me extra proud to have Love’s as a partner, knowing how much they do to help raise money to help get these kids healthy again.
“I can’t wait to meet Jack,” Gilliland continued. “I called him a couple weeks ago to say hello and tell him about the cool things he’s going to get to do at the race. He’s pretty excited and I am, too.”
The month of September marks the 16th year that Love’s Travel Stops has run a fundraising effort for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Cashiers at more than 320 Love’s locations nationwide are asking customers to buy paper balloons for $1, $5 or $20 to benefit local CMN-partner hospitals.
“This is what it’s all about,” said Jenny Love Meyer, vice president of communications for Love’s. “Our Love’s team members are working hard to raise money, and our customers give generously every year to help CMN Hospitals make miracles happen for sick and injured kids. I can’t wait to see the faces at Lurie Children’s Hospital when David Gilliland visits.”
Sunday’s 400-mile race at the Joliet, Ill., speedway will air live on ESPN, with coverage beginning at 2 p.m. ET.
About Love’s Travel Stops:
Founded in 1964 by Tom Love, Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Okla., and remains entirely family-owned and operated. With more than 310 locations and 180 Love’s Truck Tire Care centers in 39 states, Love’s approximate growth rate is 20 stores per year. Love’s is currently ranked No. 9 on Forbes Magazine’s annual listing of America’s Largest Private Companies. To learn more, go to www.loves.com, Facebook (www.facebook.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, identify your member hospital and learn how you can Put Your Money Where the Miracles Are, atCMNHospitals.org and facebook.com/CMNHospitals.
About Front Row Motorsports:
Front Row Motorsports is a race-winning organization competing in the NASCAR’s premier Sprint Cup Series, fielding the No. 34 of David Ragan and the No. 38 of David Gilliland. The team is owned by Bob Jenkins and is headquartered just outside of Charlotte, N.C. FRM was named to INC Magazine’s “INC 5000” list in 2012, recognizing the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. The team’s partnership base is representative of more than $200 billion of the U.S. economy and includes organizations such as Ford Motor Company, CSX Transportation, Love’s Travel Stops, Farm Rich, Taco Bell and Long John Silver’s. Visit teamfrm.com.
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