Photo – The NASCAR Foundation
The NASCAR Foundation’s Annual $150,000 Donation Presented to Speediatrics Unit At Halifax Health Medical Center
The NASCAR Foundation held its second annual poker event, “High Speed Hold ’Em On The Halifax” on Wednesday night, a fun and charitable lead-in to Sunday’s Daytona 500 (1 p.m. ET, on FOX and FOX Deportes).
The evening brought together NASCAR personalities and local community leaders for a fun-filled night of charity high stakes, presenting The NASCAR Foundation’s annual $150,000 donation to benefit the Speediatrics children’s care unit at Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach.
The NASCAR Foundation Chairwoman Betty Jane France was joined by co-chairs, Brett Dill, president of MG on the Halifax ownership group and Glenn Ritchey, former Daytona Beach mayor and president and CEO of Jon Hall Automotive Group. Greg “FossilMan” Raymer, winner of the 2004 World Series of Poker Main Event and Heartland Poker Tour 2012 Player of the Year served as Honorary Tournament Director. The evening’s activities included an auction event, 18 tables of poker and a check presentation by The NASCAR Foundation for its annual donation to the Speediatrics unit.
Founded by France in 1999, Speediatrics is a NASCAR-themed pediatrics unit and is the only one of its kind in Central Florida that cares for more than 2,000 children each year, including about 300 of those receiving care in the Pediatric ICU at Halifax Health.
“Halifax Health is honored to once again be the recipient of The NASCAR Foundation’s generous contribution towards our Speediatrics unit,” said Jeff Feasel, President and CEO of Halifax Health Medical Center. “We have always valued our partnership with Betty Jane France, the France family and NASCAR and this support allows us to continue to provide the best possible health services to our children in an environment that is fun and comforting to these young patients and their families. The “High Speed Hold ’Em on the Halifax” tournament is one of the most exciting fundraisers we have been a part of and we appreciate everything the France family has done to support Halifax Health and our community.”
In its second year, the event has attracted a growing number of community partners who share in their support of the foundation’s community giving. High Speed Hold ’Em 2013 sponsors include Halifax Health, SW Grill, Hendrick Daytona Honda and venue host MG on the Halifax, the 18-acre, luxury waterfront community and clubhouse.
“We’ve come up with a winner with this event,” France said. “In just two years, we have built considerable equity in the local business community for High Speed Hold ’Em, And of course, when you talk about there being a winner, the ultimate winner here is Speediatrics. And that is a result everyone can – and should be – excited about.”
