FONTANA, Calif., Feb. 21, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Make-A-Wish Foundation(r) of Orange County and the Inland Empire, the recently merged 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, will be partnering with local Fontana Chamber of Commerce business and community leaders this week as NASCAR's rumble picks up at California Speedway.
Thanks to the generosity of California Speedway, NASCAR and two driving teams, two wish kids, Jessie and Jessica, will have their special dreams fulfilled on Saturday, Feb. 25, when they meet two celebrity NASCAR drivers. The kids and their families will receive the experience of a lifetime when they spend the weekend enjoying the roar of the race cars from the race pits.
Outside the Speedway on Friday, Feb. 24, the public can enjoy live music and great food, while learning about how they can help local wish kids, by visiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County and the Inland Empire booth at RACE FEST, which will be held in downtown Fontana at 8457 Sierra Avenue. Make-A-Wish representatives will be available to answer questions and provide information on how individuals can get involved. The chapter is actively enlisting the support of over 200 volunteers during the next eleven months to help fulfill 100 local wish kid dreams.
On Tuesday, Feb. 22, KCAL-FM listeners will learn whose winning bids earned them the opportunity to meet with Dale Earnhart Jr. on Feb. 24 in the Economic Development Lounge.
Proceeds from this on-air fundraiser benefit both the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County and the Inland Empire and the Fontana Chamber's Best B.E.T. program for teachers in the Fontana Unified School District.
Race fans have still another way to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Fontana Chamber's Best B.E.T. program, while gaining the opportunity to meet their favorite celebrity driver. The Fontana Chamber and the California Speedway are hosting NASCAR MONTE CARLO NITE on Feb. 25, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Dupont Pad. This event will feature Blackjack, Poker, Craps, and Roulette gaming, and the dealers will be favorite celebrity drivers and other special guests. Tickets to gain entrance are $50 and $55 and include the $30 race entrance fee. A special appearance from No. 24 Jeff Gordon is expected.
This race week, Make-A-Wish Foundation thanks Fontana for sharing the power of a wish(r).
About Make-A-Wish Foundation(r) of Orange County and the Inland Empire
Make-A-Wish Foundation(r) grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. Born in 1980 when a group of caring individuals helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 74 chapters in the U.S. and its territories and 28 international affiliates on five continents. In 2005, the national organization celebrates "25 Years Making Dreams Come True". Locally, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County and the Inland Empire, has granted over 2,500 wonderful wishes to children in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. To refer a child, or to learn how you can help, visit the organization's Web site at: www.wishocie.org. Phone: (714) 573-WISH (9474). E-mail: orangeco@wishocie.org.