The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Logano finalist for Comcast Community Champion of Year
PHILADELPHIA — Finalists for Comcast’s 2018 Comcast Community Champion of the Year Award include Middletown native and Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano, founder of his namesake foundation.
The award recognizes the philanthropic efforts of individuals within the NASCAR industry, according to a press release.
Logano, of Charlotte, North Carolina, founded the Joey Logano Foundation in 2013 to support organizations across the United States that provide aid to children and young adults during times of crisis offering them a second chance, according to the release. Since its inception, the foundation has invested more than $2.7 million to hundreds of organizations through a multitude charitable programs.
The foundation created the JL Kids Crew to help provide opportunities for children with serious illnesses to spend time at the race track and be part of the No. 22 race team. Part of this special race package includes Logano gifting each JL Kids Crew recipient with their own matching fire suit and placing their names on his No. 22 Ford Fusion, the release continued.
Through JLF’s Grant Funding Program, the foundation delivers grants to organizations dedicated to helping families that care for sick children, foster children and children of veterans. Over the course of the NASCAR season, the foundation also has a program that brings Comfort Care Backpacks to multiple race markets. The Joey Logano Foundation has donated over 600 backpacks filled with essentials to underprivileged, foster and terminally ill children. The Joey Logano Foundation also uses its powerful platform during NASCAR’s Playoffs to aid 10 non-profit organizations in 10 different NASCAR markets, via their Chasing Second Chances program, an effort to help racing communities prosper.
“One of Comcast’s most important pillars is reinvesting in our local communities, and it has been incredible to see this come to life through our NASCAR partnership with the Comcast Community Champion of the Year Award,” Matt Lederer, executive director of partnership marketing at Comcast said in a prepared statement.
“This annual award, now in its fourth year, has given us a platform to highlight members of the NASCAR family who truly embody a generous and benevolent spirit.”
The champion will be selected by a panel of Comcast and NASCAR executives, as well as the Chip Ganassi Racing Pit Crew Department, which won the award in 2017 and will be represented by pit crew coach Mike Metcalf, the release said.
Comcast will award $60,000 to the winner’s affiliated charity and $30,000 on behalf of the two remaining finalists’ selected charities. This year’s winner will be announced Nov. 15 at W South Beach Hotel in Miami, as part of NASCAR Championship Weekend.