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Three organizations based in Stanly County received donations recently from the Charlotte chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities.
At the organization’s annual Night of Joy celebration, GHA Autism Supports, Monarch and Stanly County Family YMCA received $6,426, $25,000 and $5,000, respectively.
“We are deeply grateful to Speedway Children’s Charities Charlotte for their generous support,” Monarch President and CEO Peggy Terhune said. “Their investment will help us create a more welcoming and secure space for the young people we serve at SECU Youth Crisis Center. Together, we are ensuring that each child feels supported, safe and comfortable as they begin their journey toward healing.”
Stanly County Family YMCA will use the funds for its backpack program.
“We thank them for recognizing and continuous support for this program,” YMCA CEO George Crooker said of the Speedway Children’s Charities.
GHA Autism Supports Development Coordinator Lori Ivey explained how each nonprofit has to volunteer at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s races or sell raffle tickets to receive grant funds.
“We are using our grant money for iPads with applications in our children’s home because most of them are non-verbal, and there are apps that we can download on those iPads we can use for communication skills,” Ivey said.
Ivey said funding is limited for residential programs.
“The Speedway Children’s Chartiies provides the extras and those are so important when you’re looking at life skills development,” she said.
Charlotte chapter officials announced that more than $1.4 million, a record amount, will be distributed to Charlotte area nonprofits this holiday season.
Volunteers and staff recently welcomed more than 400 children and charity representatives for an evening of cookies, hot chocolate and a tour through the 5 million lights that illuminate Speedway Christmas, the country’s largest drive-thru holiday light show, according to a press release from Speedway Children’s Charities.
“This is always such a great event as we come together to celebrate another incredible year for Speedway Children’s Charities,” said Speedway Children’s Charities Chairman Marcus Smith. “We are blessed to contribute to so many amazing organizations and I appreciate all of the hard work they do to make a difference in these children’s lives.”
Speedway Children’s Charities raises money throughout the year through events such as its black-tie Gala each spring to charity hot laps, a fall golf tournament and more.

B.J. Drye is general manager/editor of The Stanly News & Press. Call 704-982-2123.