On Thursday night, Bristol Motor Speedway's Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities (SCC) celebrated another successful year of raising funds to support local agencies that support children in need. During its annual Night of Smiles event that was broadcast live on BTES' Power 7 local channel for the first time, SCC-Bristol announced its highest donation total since 2016.
Executive Director Claudia Byrd announced that BMS' SCC chapter raised a significant total of $920,851 during the 2019 calendar year that will be distributed to 103 rural-area child-focused agencies throughout Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. Since its inception in 1997, SCC-Bristol has raised nearly $16 million with proceeds going back to the local community.
"There's no greater blessing than to be here at the Night of Smiles and help give away the money raised to area agencies that are going to help children in need in our community," Byrd said. "Although demand for assistance will always exceed our ability to assist, we're so thankful to everyone who has donated and volunteered throughout the years to help us raise nearly $16 million. We would not be able to do this without your love and support."
The 2019 Jeff Byrd Grant also was awarded to Isaiah 117 House. Presented in honor of the late general manager of Bristol Motor Speedway, the $50,000 award will go towards the organization's efforts to build a home that will provide a safe and stable nurturing environment for children during traumatic times in their lives. The effort to build the house came after the Department of Child Services in Sullivan County, Tenn. expressed the immediate need of a home of this nature in the area. The funds will go toward capital to build the house.
Night of Smiles is the culmination of a year of SCC fundraising events, including numerous activities during NASCAR and NHRA race weekends and The Pinnacle Speedway in Lights, which opens for its 23rd season on Friday, Nov. 15 at 6 p.m.