NASCAR takes "Race to Prepare" to Cross Timbers Middle School students

Photo by Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District

Guest blog post by Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District

Sixth-grade students at Cross Timbers Middle School got a special visit from NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin as part of a FedEx Racing “Race to Prepare” program at the school on Thursday. Approximately 250 students participated in an assembly presented by FedEx and the American Red Cross to teach students about the importance of being prepared for any emergency. As part of the program, 28 students competed in a “Race to Prepare” relay to build emergency kits containing items such as batteries, First Aid supplies, water, flashlights and whistles. Patti Davis, GCISD executive director of administration, kicked off the event with a district welcome. Guest speakers included Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Toyota Camry; Kevin Sisk, senior manager of operations for FedEx Express; Leslie Palmer, interim chief executive officer of the American Red Cross North Texas Region; and Chief Steve Bass of the Grapevine Fire Department. Before the event, students were able to tour a vehicle display including an actual #11 FedEx Toyota Camry race car (now retired), a FedEx delivery truck, a Red Cross Hummer and a Grapevine fire truck.

“We are excited to be able to partner with FedEx and the American Red Cross to bring such a great program to our district,” Davis said. “GCISD has a comprehensive emergency management plan and we practice drills regularly to teach students how to respond to emergencies at school. Now, through this partnership, we are taking those efforts a step further to reinforce the importance of emergency preparedness at home and in our community.”

Each year, four cities from across the nation are selected to host a FedEx Racing “Race to Prepare” program in their community. The program works in conjunction with Red Cross efforts to educate and prepare the public for emergencies through the “Do More Than Cross Your Fingers” campaign. Both programs emphasize emergency preparedness through building emergency kits, creating a family communication and evacuation plans, and educating the community about disasters. Through this program, FedEx also announced a $10,000 donation to the North Texas chapter of the Red Cross to support local efforts throughout the community.

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Greg Biffle is our Hero!

Texas Motor Speedway is always an exciting place to be when NASCAR comes to town, but this weekend, it will create an explosion for all of us who love the American Red Cross!

Greg Biffle, driver of the No. 16 car, will sport the world-wide symbol of hope on his firesuit, and the paint scheme of his Ford Fusion will proudly showcase the Red Cross logo! It's really exciting, but there's even more!

On Sunday, the legendary Willie Nelson will play the American Red Cross "Salute to the Troops" pre-race show and LeeAnn Womack, an American Red Cross volunteer, will escort some 150 military troops to the stage so they can be recognized for their sacrafice, heroism and selflessness. Meanwhile...

Local Red Cross volunteers will be out on the Midway at Gate 7 all weekend so stop by and learn how to become a blood donor like Greg Biffle, and while you're there, be sure to sign a holiday greeting card for a member of the United States military as part of the American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes program.

We're very grateful to the 3M Corporation for lending us their space on the No. 16 car so that we can remind people that the American Red Cross needs blood every day, serves military members every day, responds to disasters every 8 minutes, every day. We're in love with Greg Biffle for being a regular blood donor and for going out of his way to support the American Red Cross. It's not something he has to do which makes him even more special to us.

We very much appreciate NASCAR fans, Roush Fenway Racing and all of our American Red Cross supporters! So if you're heading out to Texas Motor Speedway this weekend, stop by and see us. If you're not, consider following the Biff''s lead and text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10. See you on pit row!

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