Book Drive for Center of Hope
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 13, 2007) – As part of Teresa Earnhardt’s volunteer involvement with the Center of Hope’s “A Fresh Coat of Paint” initiative, The Dale Earnhardt Foundation Book Center project has been created to provide much-needed reading material to the thousands of women and children that temporarily call the shelter home.
Through its large and loyal fan base, Dale Earnhardt, Inc. and The Dale Earnhardt Foundation will encourage and facilitate the donations of any type of book as a free gift to shelter residents. The donation of new or slightly used self-help, inspirational, career development or children’s books as well as traditional fiction and non-fiction works can be made at Dale Earnhardt Inc., in Mooresville, N.C.
The first Book Center collection effort will be April 29 at Dale Earnhardt, Inc. on Dale Earnhardt Day. This annual event is the celebration of the legendary seven-time NASCAR champions’ birthday, and is recognized as an official holiday by many states, including North Carolina. A special Dale Earnhardt customized trailer will be on site to collect book donations from attendees.
The project is planned to be an ongoing initiative as shelter residents will be permitted to keep any book they find helpful from the collection, which will be continually replenished by participating supporters and The Dale Earnhardt Foundation collections.
The Center of Hope is operated by The Salvation Army and is designed to support the first steps that homeless women and children go through as they suddenly find themselves with no place to sleep as a result of finances, domestic violence or any number of other causes. Staying at the shelter allows the opportunity to find self-sufficiency by receiving a safe place to sleep, three nutritional meals each day, childcare, employment education, GED classes and comprehensive social services provided by 14 bachelor-level degreed case managers and physicians.
“A Fresh Coat of Paint” is an initiative to create a positive transitional living environment. The 45,000-square-foot Center of Hope shelter is the largest in the Southeast, and has a capacity of more than 225 residents each night. It is estimated that the shelter houses nine percent of all sheltered children in North Carolina.
“Reading is something that all of these women, and perhaps more importantly, the children, need to do,” Earnhardt said. “Through the generosity of supporters, The Dale Earnhardt Foundation Book Center will provide an opportunity for all of the Center’s residents to find inspiration and enjoyment from reading.”
Following Dale Earnhardt Day, all visitors to Dale Earnhardt, Inc. will be encouraged to contribute new or slightly used books for donation to the facility. Additionally, every guest attending Dale Earnhardt Day will receive a special book mark with information about the Book Center project and the Dale Earnhardt Foundation’s Legend Leadership Award.
The Dale Earnhardt Foundation is a 501-C-3 public charity whose mission is to carry on the legacy of Dale Earnhardt by supporting the needs of Children, Education and Wildlife Preservation.
For more information on this and other Foundation initiatives, visit their website at www.TheDaleEarnhardtFoundation.org