Stock cars are built by children at their camps and then sponsored by SEMA-member companies
through their donations to the charities.
At the second annual SEMA Pinewood Drag Race, sponsored by eBay Motors, SEMA-member companies will once again have the opportunity to match their generosity with their competitive nature as they race for a good cause.
The event, held in conjunction with the 2009 SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, scheduled Saturday, August 1, 2009, at the Pasadena Convention Center, benefits children's charities Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp. Childhelp assists abused and neglected children while Victory Junction Gang Camp provides life-changing camping experiences to disabled and chronically ill children.
“Last year, we were able to donate a good deal of money to help these kids, as well as go out and actually build cars with some of the children from Childhelp,” said Gregory Parker, 2009 SEMA Pinewood Drag Race committee chair.
Approximately $40,000 was raised last year for the two charities. Stock cars were built by children at their camps and then sponsored by SEMA-member companies through their donations to the charities. Each of the 156 cars built was sponsored.
“I wish that everyone out there could have seen the smiles on those kids’ faces when they built those cars and ran them down the track,” said Parker. “On that day, those kids were far away from the real problems that they face on any normal day.”
This year, about 250 cars will be built at both the Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp facilities. Similar to the previous year, a team of SEMA-member volunteers and Pinewood Committee members will lend their expertise to the children.
“My hope is that everyone out there will do something to help, whether by sponsoring a child’s car, building their own car or even by helping us build cars with the kids,” said Parker. “We want everyone to do something. These children really need us.”
Members that sponsor a child’s car will be the team owner and will race it under the child’s name. To sponsor a child at the SEMA Pinewood Drag Race, presented by eBay Motors, click here.
Members can also help children build cars at the Childhelp Village in Beaumont, California, on Saturday, May 16, 2009. To volunteer, contact Gregory Parker at 615/746-8765 or e-mail gp@gregoryparker.com.
The Pinewood Drag Race will be followed by the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, where the 2009 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees will be announced.
For questions about the Pinewood Drag Race and the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, contact Lisa Moreno at 909/396-0289, ext. 105 or e-mail lisam@sema.org.