Speedway Charities helps Camp Fund

Monday, Dec. 17, 2001 | 8:24 a.m.

The Las Vegas chapter of Speedway Children's Charities has donated $15,000 to the Las Vegas Sun Camp Fund.

Last summer the Camp Fund paid for 725 disadvantaged children to go to camp. All money contributed to the Camp Fund goes to the children; the Las Vegas Sun pays all administrative costs.

The Sun Camp Fund was one of 17 organizations that received $196,500 in grants from the Las Vegas Speedway Children's Charities. That was nearly twice the amount raised and distributed last year.

Grants also were awarded to: Amerindian Inc., Boulder Dam Area Council Boy Scouts of America, Boys and Girls Club of Henderson, Boys and Girls Club of Las Vegas, Children's Service Guild, Classroom on Wheels, Culture Shock Las Vegas, Girls and Boys Town, Hemophilia Foundation of Nevada, Learning for Life, Boulder Dam Area/Boy Scouts, Make A Wish Foundation, New Horizons Center, North Las Vegas Center Ring Boxing Club, Opportunity Village, Positively Kids and WestCare Nevada.

The Speedway Children's Charities was founded in 1984. Each of six Speedway Motorsports chapters throughout the country raises money for a variety of charities. All the money raised in Las Vegas stays here to benefit children's programs.

Speedway Children's Charities Chairman Dan Stark and Vice Chairman Keith DeRiso presided over a Christmas party Dec. 12 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the organizations receiving grants and some of the children they serve. Each child received a special gift from Santa Claus.

The founder of the Las Vegas chapter of Speedway Children's Charities, Missy Powell, was presented with a proclamation from Gov. Kenny Guinn declaring Dec. 12 as Missy Powell Day in recognition of her efforts in raising money to benefit children.