'Fuel For The Families' Food Drive Set For Celebration 2010

For the second consecutive year, everyone attending Celebration 2010 at Martinsville Speedway on July 2 will have the opportunity to help others in the community.

Martinsville Speedway and The United Way of Henry County and Martinsville are partnering on The Fuel for Families Food Drive during Celebration 2010. Everyone attending the event are urged to bring non-perishable food and personal care items and drop them off at one of several collection areas around the speedway.

Celebration 2010, featuring Grammy award-winning artist Delbert McClinton and over 15 children’s rides, is a free-to-the-public event in its 12^th year.

“There are so many in our community that need help, the Fuel for Families Food Drive is a simple, easy and effective way for many of us to help. We are thankful that the United Way has partnered with us on this and together, the public, the United Way and Martinsville Speedway can make this a huge success,” said Martinsville Speedway President W. Clay Campbell.

“With so many families in crisis in our community, our local food pantries are in desperate need of donations,” said Tiffany Haworth, interim executive director of the United Way of Henry County and Martinsville. “Last year, the event enabled United Way to distribute over 1,000 cans of food to our local families and children who needed it most and we hope this year we can do even more. Just one can of food will really make a difference.”

Fans will be able to drop items off at collection points at any of the entrance gates to the grandstands and in the carnival ride area during Celebration 2010. Items may also be dropped off at the Martinsville Speedway office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily leading up to Celebration 2010.

All contributed items will be distributed in the Martinsville and Henry County area.

Items most needed are non-perishable foods, particularly beef stew, soups and canned vegetables, and personal care items such as deodorant and toothpaste.

Celebration 2010 will kick off when children’s carnival rides open at 5 p.m.  on July 2 and remain open throughout the evening. Domino, a bluesy horn band, will open the musical part of the event at 6 p.m. McClinton will hit the stage at about 8:30 p.m. The area’s largest fireworks show will cap the evening at roughly 10 p.m.

As always, Celebration 2010 is free to the public, thanks to public and private support throughout the Martinsville and Henry County area.

Those contributing to the Celebration 2010 include: Applied Felts, Bassett Furniture, Bassett Office Supply, BB&T, Blue Ridge Aquaculture, Boxley Material Company, Brad Parker Insurance, Carter Bank and Trust, Collinsville Printing, Commonwealth Laminating, Dr. David Jones, orthodontist, Dillon Insurance, Frith Construction, Gardner, Barrow, Sharpe and Reynolds, Henry County, Henry County Baptist Association, Hooker Furniture, Cool Knobs and Pulls, Martinsville Henry County Chamber of Commerce, Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville Speedway Children’s Foundation, Masterbrand Cabinet, Memorial Hospital, Millards Machinery, Nelson Automotive, River Community Bank, Shenandoah Furniture, Solutia, Southwest VA Gas, Stanley Furniture, Steve Martin Trenching, Stone Dynamics, Taco Bell, Tarheel Paper and Supply Co., The Lester Group, TR Properties, Virginia Mirror, West Window, Zenith Logistics, CPEG, Ameristaff, Suntrust Bank and Tri State Foam.

The United Way of Henry County & Martinsville funds 22 health and human service agencies in the community, including Grace Network, Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Boys & Girls Club, YMCA, and area rescue squads. In addition, the United Way is focused on issues around improving Education, Income and Health in the community.