Racing to Save a Life raising funds
for American Red Cross
CARIBOU — The American Red Cross-Pine Tree Chapter will be Racing to Save a Life next month at Spud Speedway in Caribou and is looking to the community for financial support.
On Saturday, Aug. 27 at 6 p.m., the American Red Cross — along with event sponsors The Bank of Maine, The County Federal Credit Union, Griffeth Ford Lincoln, Balance BPO, The Star-Herald and the Aroostook Republican — will draw raffle items during the night’s event which will feature two death-defying car crashes by Maine stunt driver Jim “Crash” Moreau of Bangor.
Contributed photo
RACING TO SAVE A LIFE, a fundraiser for the American Red Cross-Pine Tree Chapter, will be held Saturday, Aug. 27 at Spud Speedway in Caribou. During the night’s races, Maine stunt driver Jim “Crash” Moreau will perform two death-defying car crashes. In addition, tickets will be sold on raffle items which will be drawn that night. Items include two tickets to the Sept. 25 NASCAR race in Loudon, N.H., donated by Clukey’s Auto Supply; a $125 gift card to Walmart, a three-month fitness membership to either the Caribou or Presque Isle Inn & Convention Center, two tickets to the third annual Spud 150 at Spud Speedway Sept. 3, and items donated by NASCAR driver Greg Biffle.
Moreau, a veteran of traveling stunt shows for 40 years, is a member of the Circus Fans Association of America and the Carnival Historical and Model Builders Society. He has been listed in many volumes of “Marquis Who’s Who” over the years and is a member of the New England Showmen’s Association.
“Racing has always been popular here in The County and we wanted to combine racing with a fundraiser that would benefit the American Red Cross,” said Scott Johnson, Racing to Save a Life chair. “Tom Clukey of Clukey’s Auto Supply has generously donated two tickets to the Sept. 25 NASCAR race in Loudon, N.H. For anyone who has never been to the New Hampshire track, it’s a beautiful facility and always a lot of fun and excitement. This is a great prize for any race fan.
“Knowing that NASCAR driver Greg Biffle has the American Red Cross as a sponsor and is a member of their celebrity cabinet, we decided to approach his team and see if we could acquire some raffle items,” he said. “Biffle’s team has donated an American Red Cross Racing/Greg Biffle wooden sign, three hat/shirt packages, and three die cast cars personally autographed by Biffle himself.”
Other raffle prizes include a $125 gift card to Walmart, a three-month fitness membership to either the Caribou or Presque Isle Inn & Convention Center and two tickets to the third annual Spud 150 at Spud Speedway Sept. 3.
One dollar of every ticket sold at the gate Aug. 27 will also be donated to the American Red Cross. Collection buckets will be positioned at the concession stand so patrons can donate their loose change, and Red Cross volunteers and board members will be on hand to sell raffle tickets that night, as well.
According to Joyce Knorr, Aroostook County branch manager of the American Red Cross-Pine Tree Chapter, this event could bring in some much-needed funds.
“The local economy is still struggling. Individuals, especially those on a fixed income, are having to be very frugal about where they spend their dollars. People just do not have a lot of disposable income to donate and most are tightening their budgets,” she said. “While non-profits are all vying for the same dollar, the local chapter of the American Red Cross has seen a downfall of donations this year. City and town budgets are being cut, creating some loss of support to the Red Cross. Our chapter already operates off a shoestring budget, but we are having to cut our budget even more which puts the demand on raising funds for local disasters in high gear.
“Every time disaster funds go out to provide immediate emergency services, they must come back in to take care of the next disaster victim,” said Knorr. “This event and raffle is a great way to support the local American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund while enjoying a great night of fun and excitement, as well as the chance of winning a great prize.”
Raffle tickets are $2 for one or three for $5 and can be purchased from Red Cross Advisory Board members and disaster volunteers or during the night of the race. For more information, call 493-4620, ext. 108. A rain date of Sunday, Aug. 28 has been scheduled.
