Officials of the Bristol chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities (SCC) announced that it raised a significant total of $453,100 despite the challenges from a worldwide pandemic that hampered much of their fundraising efforts throughout the year.

Checks from that total were distributed during the annual Night of Smiles presented by State Water Heaters event to many rural-area child-focused agencies throughout Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. 

This year’s Night of Smiles event had a different look and feel, as representatives from each of the agencies being honored took a tour of 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 cars crossed the start/finish line of the Bristol Motor Speedway oval.

“There's no greater blessing than to be here at the Night of Smiles presented by State Water Heaters and help give away the money raised to area agencies that are going to help children in need in our community,” Byrd said. “This year has been especially challenging for us all given the pandemic, but we were able to forge ahead despite the obstacle.  Although demand for assistance will always exceed our ability to assist, we are so thankful to everyone who has donated and volunteered throughout the years to help us raise nearly $17 million. We would not be able to do this without your love and support.”

Night of Smiles presented by State Water Heaters is the culmination of a year of SCC fundraising events, including The Pinnacle Speedway in Lights, which opened for its 24th season on Friday, November 13.

Organizations that received funding from Bristol Motor Speedway's Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities during the Night of Smiles event includes:

  • Abuse Alternatives
  • American Red Cross of NE Tennessee
  • American Red Cross of SW Virginia
  • Arc of Washington County
  • Assistance and Resource Ministries
  • Bethany Christian Services of East TN
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee
  • 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
  • Bread of Life Children’s Ministry
  • Bristol Faith in Action
  • Bristol Regional Speech & Hearing Center
  • Cap the Gap for Foster Care
  • CARE Center
  • Carter County Foster Care Association
  • CASA for Kids
  • Children’s Advocacy Center of the first Judicial District
  • Children’s Advocacy Center of Highlands Community Services
  • Children’s Advocacy Center of Sullivan County
  • Child Advocacy Center of the 3rd Judicial District
  • Christmas Box of Northeast Tennessee
  • Communities in Schools SWVA
  • Community Help Center of Northeast Tennessee
  • Crossroads Medical Mission
  • Family Crisis Support Services
  • Family Promise of Greater Kingsport
  • Feeding Southwest Virginia
  • FRIENDS
  • Girls Incorporated of Bristol
  • Girls Incorporated of Johnson City/Washington County
  • Girls Incorporated of Kingsport
  • Girls on the Run of Northeast Tennessee
  • Greater Kingsport Family YMCA
  • Healing Hands Health Center
  • Holston Habitat for Humanity
  • Holston United Methodist Home for Children
  • Hope House
  • Isaiah 117 House
  • Jeremiah School
  • Jericho Shrine Center
  • Johnson County Safe Haven
  • Literacy Council of Kingsport
  • LXI
  • Mountain Kids Inc.
  • Mountain Region Speech and Hearing
  • Of One Accord
  • Reading Buddies Bristol TN/VA
  • Ridin’ High Therapeutic Horse Program
  • Rise Up
  • Rivers Way
  • Santa Pal
  • Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee
  • Shepherd’s Inn
  • Small Miracles Therapeutic Equestrian Center
  • Southern Appalachian Ronald McDonald House Charities
  • St. Anthony Bread Food Pantry
  • Sullivan County Sheriff’s Auxiliary
  • SYNERGY Foundation
  • Taking Action for Special Kids
  • 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
  • YWCA of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia

Long hailed as the premier holiday display in the Appalachian Highlands Region, The Pinnacle Speedway in Lights powered by TVA spreads across a four-mile route illuminated by more than 2 million lights among 250 displays. For more information about the Pinnacle Speedway In Lights powered by TVA, please visit the BMS website.