STEP Inc. (Rocky Mount, Va.) and the American Diabetes Society (Alexandria, Va.) are the newest charities chosen to be featured on Jimmie Johnson's race helmet for the Sprint Cup event at Auto Club Speedway in August.
Jimmie and Chandra Johnson announced that in conjunction with the Jimmie Johnson Foundation's second annual golf tournament in San Diego, race fans and media members nationwide would have the chance to participate in the "Helmet of Hope" initiative, allowing them the opportunity to nominate charities that they believe should be featured on the helmet.
Fans can nominate their charity by visiting www.jimmiejohnsonfoundation.org and explaining why their organization should be chosen.
Johnson drew the third and fourth winners during the Chicago race weekend.
NASCAR Scene's Kenny Bruce nominated STEP Inc., an organization that provides "exceptional services for people seeking to improve their quality of life through community, economic, personal, and family development." In nominating this organization, Bruce said he "applauds the wide-ranging reach of the program which seeks to help young and old." For more information, visit www.stepinc.com.
Amy Thurman of Ooltewah, Tenn. chose the American Diabetes Society, whose mission is "to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes." Thurman says her father was diagnosed with the disease and despite exercising, eating right and taking his medications, passed away.
"I miss my daddy so much and would give anything to be able to sit at home on Sunday afternoons with him watching the No. 48 win another race," she said.
For more information on this organization, visit www.diabetes.org.
Johnson will draw two charities each race weekend through the Michigan event in August, collecting a total of 12 winning organizations. The first two winners were Monarch (Albemarle, N.C.) and Breakthrough Manchester (Manchester, N.H.).
Johnson will choose two more winning charities, one submitted by a fan and the other by a member of the media, during his 1 p.m. media session Friday at Indianapolis.
Media members may pick up charity-nomination forms at the front desk of the media center.
