NASCAR Driver Kasey Kahne brings The NASCAR Foundation and AmeriCorps together to encourage volunteerism among NASCAR fans and industry participants

CONCORD, NC -- Kasey Kahne, driver of the #9 Budweiser Allstate Dodge in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and member of the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, will serve as the official spokesperson of the NASCAR Foundation Volunteer Network. The Network was launched in 2006 to help provide an outlet for industry charities to recruit volunteers and to create a centralized location for fans to find volunteer opportunities.

One of those opportunities is with the Kasey Kahne Foundation’s new NINE Volunteer program. On the ninth of every month, a volunteer will be chosen from The NASCAR Foundation Volunteer Network database. This person will be given the chance to volunteer at Kasey Kahne’s personal race shop and assist the KKF with charitable initiatives. Interested individuals should visit the KKF website at http://www.kaseykahnefoundation.org/ for details and a link to The NASCAR Foundation’s volunteer registration page.

In 2006, Kahne was appointed by President Bush to serve on the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation. Through the years, he has brought awareness to the importance of volunteering and giving back to one’s community. Today, Kahne awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award – the highest honor bestowed to our nation’s volunteers -- to deserving individuals and companies including AmeriCorps member Addy Jeffrey, Kyle and Patty Petty, and Bank of America.

Jeffrey is a full-time second year AmeriCorps member of the AmeriCorps ACCESS project in Greensboro, N.C. Jeffrey, who accepted her award from Kahne at the Sam Bass Gallery in Concord, has helped 2,167 clients through interpretation and referral services in the growing Latino community of Greensboro. She is one of 75,000 Americans who are making a difference in their communities each year through the AmeriCorps national service program. This week, May 11 – May 18, is AmeriCorps Week, which provides an opportunity for AmeriCorps members, alums, and friends to shine a spotlight on the work done by members in communities across the country—and to motivate more Americans to join AmeriCorps or volunteer in their communities.

Kahne honored Kyle and Patty Petty with a PVSA today as well. The Petty’s founded Victory Junction Gang Camp in honor of their son Adam Petty in 2004. The Victory Junction Gang Camp enriches the lives of children with chronic medical conditionsor serious illnesses byproviding life-changingcamping experiences in asafe and medically sound environment.

Kahne and the President’s Council also recognized Bank of America for its community initiatives on this day. Bank of America giving falls into four categories: Community Development, Education, Health and Human Services, and Arts and Culture. Bank of America also makes annual charitable investments through the neighborhood excellence initiative and local and national grant programs. Bank of America employees who volunteered at the NASCAR Day Telethon accepted the group award on behalf of the company.

About the Kasey Kahne Foundation:

The Kasey Kahne Foundation (KKF) was formed in 2005 with a primary mission to help and support chronically ill children and their families. KKF is also focused on diversity awareness and providing opportunities for underprivileged children. In doing so, KKF brings racing fans together for a common purpose to raise funds for distribution to a variety of designated charities, including Ronald McDonald House Charities. In addition, Kasey is a member of the President’s Council for Service and Civic Participation, serving under President Bush.

http://www.kaseykahnefoundation.org/

About AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps engages 75,000 Americans each year in intense service to meet community and national needs. AmeriCorps members help communities fight poverty, mentor youth, recover from disasters, raise graduation rates, build homes, and tackle other social challenges. AmeriCorps is a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service. For more information, visit http://www.americorps.gov/.

About NASCAR Foundation

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc., (NASCAR) launched The NASCAR Foundation in January 2006. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity that embodies the compassion of the NASCAR Family and its commitment to serving communities. The Foundation supports a wide range of charitable initiatives that reflect the core values of the entire NASCAR Family. The NASCAR Foundation will use strength of the sport and its people to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. For more information on The NASCAR Foundation, please visit the website: www.nascar.com/foundation.

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