There is no better way to kick off a work week than with a round of golf! That's exactly what 89 golfers and a handful of volunteers and board members did on Monday, June 8, at the 7th Annual SCC Golf Tournament.
The event was a great success- thanks in no small part to Mother Nature. All the planning in the world can go into an event, but the one factor we can never control is the weather. Well, Mother Nature did not disappoint on Monday as she delivered one of her most beautiful days this year, and probably the best weather we've had in the five years I've organized the tournament.
The course was beautiful as well! Cheers to Rachel Stull and her staff at Canyon Gate Country Club for a beautiful golf course to play. The comments we heard throughout the day was about how beautiful the course was, what great shape it was in, and how fun it was to play. And, Shelley Sampson's food and beverage staff outdid themselves on the meals- just when you think hamburgers and hot dogs can't taste any better!
The morning began with the landing of a helicopter by Maverick Helicopters on the driving range. The 23 foursomes hit the course and play went really pretty quick by tournament standpoints. I took the opportunity, as I do every year, to make a lap around the course and touch base with all the golfers- making sure they are having a good time and see if there is anything they need. This is one of my favorite parts of the tournament- I get the chance to look at the course and interact with those who have taken time out of their day to support SCC.
Tami Hall fell a few yards short of a $1 million hole-in-one shot and another golfer came within 10 inches of winning a trip to the 2010 Master's Tournament. A big thank you goes out to event chair Lorin Bronston on a great job on his first time chairing the golf tourament. An even bigger thank you goes out to all the participants and sponsors of the event- without your continued support we could not continue to uphold and fulfill our mission statement and support the thousands of children we help each and every year.
It seems like everyone has gone social. Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Blogger- the world has gone social networking nuts.
It's rare nowadays to find someone who doesn't have a profile or page with a social networking site- unless you are deep within the confines of my family and then it's rare to find someone who has heard of these sites.
Recently, the Las Vegas Chapter launched our new Facebook page and Twitter.... ummm.... tweet. I can't think of a better way to connect with the Las Vegas community, the racing community, and the nation as a whole than utilizing these digital tools that are at our fingertips. The National office launched a Facebook group a few months back and I was amazed at the reach we had in getting our information out to the public. So why, then, do another Facebook page? Our chapter wanted to be able to also target our local community with our events, updates, breaking news, etc.- going right at those who are benefiting from the work we do as well as help us positively impact so many lives.
The phenomena that is Twitter is so hard to explain to those who aren't familiar with it. I had wrestled with the idea of having a Twitter for the charity, not sure how many people would follow us or what we would gain from using the site. Well, in just 24 hours of using Twitter, we have been contacted by a few companies wanting more information about our organization and have also been able to get some additional information about our upcoming events to interested people. It's a direct line of communication to those who want to know- it's short, simple- to the point. Will we be monetarily impacted? Only time will tell. But currently, there are 25 people/companies/groups that now know or are more aware that Speedway Children's Charities exists and we can effectively spread our message and mission statement.
Want to join us?
twitter.com/SCCLV
or
Speedway Children's Charities-Las Vegas on Facebook
We'll see you in the social networking universe....
Happy New Year from Speedway Children's Charities!
The 2009 NASCAR Race Weekend is right around the corner and Speedway Children's Charities is bringing back the Track Walk. The 2008 Track Walk was a big hit and this year's walk looks to be even bigger. Participants will walk a lap around the 1.5-mile superspeedway at Las Vegas Motor Speedway just hours before the Shelby 427 green flag drops.
The 2009 Track Walk will take place at 9 a.m. on Sunday, March 1. Walkers will start their lap at the start/finish line and experience firsthand the banking of the racing surface while leaving their footprints behind on the track that legends have raced on.
Track walks have been taking place at NASCAR tracks across the country for several years now, but this will be the second time a walk has taken place at LVMS. It's not unusual to see special guests participating in the Track Walk and we are working hard to confirm some of those surprise participants. The cost to participate in the Track Walk is $25 if you register by Feb. 23. Individuals can register online at www.scclasvegas.org or www.lvms.com.
Each walker will receive a t-shirt to commemorate their experience. There is no limit on the number of participants in the Track Walk and walkers of all ages are welcome. Anyone 16 and under can walk for free, but everyone must sign up to get a t-shirt. All participants, regardless of age, will need to check in at the Track Walk tent during race weekend to sign the participant waiver and pick up their shirt. More information on this will be available on either website. After Feb. 23, the registration fee goes up to $35, so sign up early! All of the funds raised from the Track Walk will stay in Las Vegas with the Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities.
In December, SCC handed out more than $290,000 to 57 local organizations at our annual Tree Lighting and Grant Distribution Ceremony. Chapters identify the needs of children in their communities and award grants to organizations that address them.
So get up a little early and head out to the track on Sunday, March 1 for the Speedway Children's Charities Track Walk. Why waste time sitting in traffic waiting to find a parking spot when you could be hanging out with hundreds of your closest NASCAR fans on the start/finish line at LVMS?!
Thanks and we'll see you at the Track Walk!
Janae Melvin Director Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities