PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. (April 7, 2014) – Today, Peachtree City native and NASCAR hopeful Garrett Smithley announced he is partnering with Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers in hopes of driving 2,000 donations in the month of April to help fund career service programs for U.S. military veterans.
“I’m looking forward to helping drive thousands of new donations to Goodwill during the month of April—and helping our heroes along the way,” said Smithley. “Teaming with Goodwill was a natural fit for me because of our similar values, including our commitment to veterans and the community. I believe in Goodwill’s mission of collecting donations to provide much needed career services to veterans and chose to partner with them for this campaign.”
The Driving Donations, Helping Our Heroes program will be comprised of donation drives at several Goodwill locations during April and will culminate on Saturday, May 3rd at the Talladega Superspeedway as Smithley competes in the International Motorsports Hall of Fame 200 ARCA event. Smithley, a lead Richard Petty Driving Experience instructor, will make pit stops at each donation drive with the Wes Gonder Racing #11 Ford Fusion racecar. Racing fans and Goodwill supporters are encouraged to bring donations to each of the locations for an opportunity to:
- Meet Smithley
- See the Wes Gonder Racing Ford Fusion #11 racecar up-close and personal
- Register for a chance to win tickets to the Talladega Superspeedway race
- Learn more about the career services Goodwill provides to U.S. military veterans and the community at large
Specific dates and locations for the program will be announced soon.
Select Goodwill donors, supporters and team members will enjoy a special “behind the scenes” experience as honorary members of Garrett’s pit crew at the Talladega race. During the race, he will don Goodwill blue and white race gear while competing in a car with the added Goodwill logo.
“We’re in a race to change lives by helping veterans re-enter the workforce and assisting people out of poverty,” said Jane P. Nichols, President & CEO of Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers. “Garrett shares our passion for community service and helping our military veterans, and we’re excited he has chosen to work with us on this exciting new program.”
The International Motorsports Hall of Fame 200 will take the green flag on Saturday, May 3rd, with television coverage on FOX Sports 1.
About Garrett Smithley
Garrett Smithley is 21 years old and has been behind the wheel of a race car since he was 15. He has raced in the Menards ARCA Racing Series twice at Pocono International Raceway and Kentucky Speedway and is scheduled to race at Talladega Superspeedway in May. In addition to racing professionally, Smithley is also a lead instructor for the Richard Petty Driving Experience. He is a strong supporter of U.S. military veterans. His contributions include sending custom care packages to members of the armed forces and providing moral support through letters, e-mails and Skype to those serving overseas.
About Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers, Inc.
Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers (GWISR) is one of 165 independent community-based Goodwill nonprofits across the United States and Canada. Headquartered in Columbus, Ga., GWISR serves 50 counties in West Georgia and East Alabama with free services such as job coaching, access to computers, and skills classes to facilitate job placement and advancement. These programs are made possible through your donations of gently used clothing and household goods that are sold at 13 Goodwill Retail Stores in Georgia and Alabama. For more information about Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers, visit www.gwisr.org.