When news of Jeff Gordon’s sponsor announcement began to circulate in October, as a fan I was very excited.
I listened intently at work as they announced AARP as Gordon’s primary sponsor for the next three years. As some fans made jokes and wise cracks, it was clear to me that this was more than just a sponsorship for all the parties involved.
After watching my favorite driver win four titles and many races; I have never been prouder to say I am a Gordon fan.
The program “Drive to End Hunger” is an effort to eradicate hunger for the elderly in America. While the AARP organization primarily services the elderly or those over 55, the numbers are pretty shocking. Six million older Americans will go hungry in 2010.
Over 17.4 million households in 2009 had difficult purchasing food because of lack of income. In some cases due to a rising unemployment numbers and higher cost of food, food banks have been forced to turn people away.
The numbers continue to not be pretty, 41 percent of working Americans make up the food stamp program in America.
I have family members that live off of food stamps and struggle to get by.The government can only do some much.
With the numbers not changing and more people losing jobs and benefits, these programs have never been more crucial.
I have read about other drivers’ foundations and charity work. NASCAR drivers are the very best at giving back.Every drivers causes are important and every drivers' fans do the best they can to give back.
Gordon himself has done a lot of work with children and while I given what I could in the past, suddenly I wanted to do more.
I can't cure cancer or end any wars but I can try to make a difference in some way.
I kept seeing the faces and reading the numbers and all I could think of is how in America is this possible?
So I got to work and I started researching and finding out ways I could help. I went on the AARP website and began reading about what I could do.
From local food drives to donating money; there is plenty we all can do. What better way to kick off the season of giving by giving back.
The need to act was now and in a time of year when we reflect on all the good in our lives, I was well aware of the millions of Americans who won’t have enough to eat.
The NASCAR off season just began and attention turns away from the race track for most. I for one was already thinking about what I could do in 2011.
It is simple: For every Gordon win in 2011 I will donate $25 dollars to AARP and the Drive to End Hunger campaign. For every top 10 finish he has in 2011, I will donate $10. This is one race I personally can help win.
It’s the very least I can do because I am very fortunate to not have to go hungry. I grew up in a home where having enough food was never an issue.
It is easy to forget about others when we all are in some way struggling. It could be one of us someday, so now is the time to do something.
On Thanksgiving while you are sitting down at the table with family and friends; say a prayer for the millions of Americans who will not have enough food to feed their families.
Nobody deserves to go hungry and this NASCAR fan is ready to whatever it takes to make sure one less American goes to sleep hungry.
For more information on how you can help please check out the AARP website at http://www.aarp.org/giving-back/volunteering/ and www.drivetoendhunger.org
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