Contributed

Heads of the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities announced this month that it has raised a significant total of $ 667,000 despite the challenges of an ongoing pandemic that has hampered some of the organization’s fundraising efforts. throughout the year.

Grants of that total were distributed to many rural child-focused agencies in northeastern Tennessee and southwestern Virginia during the annual Night of Smiles event presented by Tele-Optics on November 11. The event was broadcast live on the BMS Facebook page and once again looked different than usual, taking place on a mobile basis. Representatives from each of the honored agencies toured the Pinnacle Speedway in Lights in their vehicles and then received their checks in a socially distanced manner from SCC-Bristol Executive Director Claudia Byrd as the cars crossed the line. departure / arrival point of the Bristol Motor. Oval speedway.

“Once again, we have faced challenges with our fundraising due to the ongoing pandemic, but just like last year, we were able to move forward despite the obstacles,” said Byrd. “While the request for help will always exceed our ability to help, whatever the circumstances, we are very grateful to everyone who has donated and volunteered over the past 25 years to help us fundraise near. of $ 19 million. We wouldn’t be able to do this without your love and support. There is no greater blessing than being here at the Night of the Smile and helping donate the money raised to agencies in the area that will help children in need in our community.

Rise Up !, a Johnson City-based agency that works to inspire and prepare children for the future, received the Jeff Byrd Grant. Presented in honor of the late Bristol Motor Speedway General Manager, the $ 50,000 prize will go to the organization’s efforts to build the Jeff Byrd Movement Park on an adjacent property to provide children with exercise and activities.

Night of Smiles presented by Tele-Optics is the culmination of a year of CCS fundraising events, including The Pinnacle Speedway in Lights, which opened for its 25th season on November 12.

Long hailed as the premier vacation display in the Appalachian region, the TVA-powered Pinnacle Speedway in Lights stretches a 4-mile route illuminated by more than 2 million lights across 250 screens. A journey through the light show sends guests down the historic Bristol Dragway and throughout the property, culminating with a ride around Bristol Motor Speedway’s iconic half-mile oval. The Pinnacle Speedway in Lights runs until January 1. In addition to the $ 50 Fast Pass option presented by Citi, which is available on certain nights when the lines are longest, the event costs $ 20 for cars Sunday through Thursday and $ 25 on Friday and Saturday evenings. For larger groups, vans cost $ 50 and buses $ 125. For more details on the light show, visit the BMS website.

Organizations that received funding from Bristol Motor Speedway’s Speedway Children’s Charities Chapter during the Night of Smiles event include: Abus Alternatives, American Red Cross of NE Tennessee, American Red Cross of SW Virginia, Appalachia Service Project, Arc of Washington County, Assistance and Resource Ministères, Barter Foundation, Boys & Girls Club of Central Appalachia, Boys & Girls Club of Elizabethton / Carter County, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kingsport, Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville & Greene County, Boys & Girls Club of Johnson City / Washington County, Boys & Girls Club of Morristown, Boys & Girls Club of the Mountain Empire, Bristol Regional Speech & Hearing Center,

Cap the Gap for Foster Care, Carter County Foster Care Association, CASA for Kids, CASA of Northeast Tennessee, Children’s Advocacy Center of the first Judicial District, Children’s Advocacy Center of Highlands Community Service, Child Advocacy Center of the 1st Judicial District, Child Advocacy Center of the 3rd Judicial District, Children’s Advocacy Center of Sullivan County, Christmas Box of Northeast Tennessee, Commonwealth Catholic Charities, Communities in Schools of Southwest Virginia, Community Help Center of Northeast Tennessee, Crossroads Medical Mission, Crumley House Brain Injury Rehab Center,

Family Crisis Support Services, Family Promise of Greater Kingsport, Feeding America Southwest Virginia, First Book Greater Kingsport, Girls Incorporated of Bristol, Girls Incorporated of Johnson City / Washington County, Girls Incorporated of Kingsport, Girls on the Run of Northeast Tennessee, Greater Kingsport YMCA Family Friendly, Convenient! Discovery Center, Healing Hands Health Center, Holston United Methodist Home for Children, Hope House, Hope House of Scott County, Isaiah 117 House, Jeremiah School, Jericho Shriners, Johnson County Safe Haven, Literacy Council of Kingsport, LXI Marine Toys for Tots, McClure River Valley Community Center, Morrison School, Morristown Hamblen Central Services, Mountain Kids Inc., Mountain Region Speech and Hearing, Niswonger Children’s Hospital, Of One Accord Ministry, People Incorporated of Virginia, Reading Buddies, Ridin ‘High Therapeutic Horse Program, Rise Up !, River’s Way Outdoor Adventure Center,

Santa Pal, Ronald McDonald House of the Southern Appalachians, SW Virginia CAC / MEOC, St. Anthony Bread Food Pantry, Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office Auxiliary, SYNERGY Foundation, TASK: Act for Special Children, The Bread of Life Children’s Ministry , TLC Community Center, Unicoi Family YMCA, United Way of Southwest Virginia, Waiting to Hear, YMCA of Bristol, Young Life Bristol, Young Life Kingsport, Young Life Upper East Tennessee and YWCA of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.

The Bristol chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit committed to raising funds for distribution to child-based nonprofits, was established in 1997.