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12.JUN.02
Make-A-Wish
and Blair Racing INDIANAPOLIS
(June 12, 2002) - Indianapolis based Blair Racing and its Indy
Racing League (IRL) team awarded a check to the Make-A-Wish
foundation for $10,600.00.
Team owner Larry Blair of San Jose, Calif. hosted a party the
evening before his team raced in the 86th running of the
Indianapolis 500, gathering over 200 friends and colleagues to
celebrate and enjoy the upcoming festive 500 mile event. Blair
organized an auction that was held during this reception, auctioning
off a racing helmet and driver's suit worn by IRL driver Alex Barron
of Menifee, Calif.
George Prodan started the windfall that will benefit the San
Francisco, Calif. Bay area office of the Make-A-Wish foundation.
Prodan of Fremont, Calif. donated $5000.00 for a helmet worn by
Barron while driving over 200 mph in his Rayovac Blair Racing entry.
Bill Lanfri, formally of the Greater Bay area, quickly matched
Prodan's offer. As the evening wore on Blair offered a three
layer fire suit that Barron wears as protection while driving the
methanol powered car; Rick Bennion and Broadchoice of San Mateo,
Calif. donated $600.00 for the collectable item. Blair's three
friends raised a collective total of $10,600.00 by the evening's
end. The items and donation was even more prized by the three
contributors when the Rayovac Blair team went on, with Barron at the
wheel, to lead twice and finish fourth at the Indy 500, the day
following the auction.
Going to the Indy 500 as a first time spectator and team owner
was magical in itself," said Larry Blair. "To
have friends and family surround our team and unselfishly give to
such a great cause like Make-A-Wish made the event even more
meaningful. This now has a lasting impression and will make a
difference in a child's life and dream."
"The
Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation is honored to be a recipient
of such a generous donation by Blair Racing. We are touched that
Blair Racing would choose our Foundation to support as they continue
to have such success on the race track. Our Foundation does not
telephone, door-to-door, or email solicit so we rely solely on
contributions from donors. Thank you for sharing the power of a
wish!."
The Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation® was founded in 1984.
In its first year, a total of 27 wishes were granted. Now
the 6th largest chapter nationwide, the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish
Foundation® has granted over 2,700 wishes; they expect to grant
approximately 300 wishes this year. While the Foundation
follows the policies and guidelines of the National Make-A-Wish
Foundation, the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation® operates
as a separate 501(c) 3 organization. All funds raised by the
Foundation are used to fulfill wishes in the Bay Area. Of each
dollar raised, an average of 80% is spent on wish granting, with the
remaining amount going towards administration and fund raising
costs. The average cost of one wish is approximately $9,900 (plus
in-kind contributions of nearly $1,200). The Foundation relies
on financial contributions from individuals, corporations, clubs and
other groups to fund their mission. The Foundation also
receives enormous community support through volunteerism, special
events, fund-raisers and their car donation program. For more
information on the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation® please
call (800) 464-9474.
www.BlairRacing.com
keeps fans up-to-date with all the latest team news and
information.
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