Salute to C.A.R.S. Racing for a Cause

Topics:  C.A.R.S. Racing for a Cause

Congressman Bill Posey
Congressional Record: 115th Congress
Extensions of Remarks
16 November 2017

  Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, on December 10, 2017, C.A.R.S. Racing for a 
Cause, Inc. will hold its final Charity 200 race event after twelve 
years of helping children and families who are facing serious and 
terminal illness in Central Florida.
  C.A.R.S. Racing for a Cause Inc. was founded in 2006 by Carla, 
Amanda, Rick and Sara Bristol of Orlando, Florida. That is what 
C.A.R.S. stands for. At that time Rick, a lifelong racing enthusiast, 
met a family with a child suffering from leukemia. Wanting very much to 
help this little boy, who was an avid fan of monster trucks; Rick used 
his contacts in the racing industry to pull together a 200 lap charity 
truck race and raised about $6500 to help this little boy and his 
family pay for his treatments.
  Since then C.A.R.S. Racing for a Cause has been helping families in 
need hosting a number of charitable events throughout the year which 
culminate in one big racing weekend event called the Charity 200. Every 
year C.A.R.S. board of directors selects two or more families with 
serious medical needs and dedicates the year's events to raising funds 
to help them through difficult times.
  In 2012, Rick enlisted the help of friend and NASCAR Truck Series 
winning driver Joey Coulter, and parents Joe & Susan Coulter, to help 
grow and promote the Charity 200 race weekend. Working together, Rick 
and Joey have raised over $275,000 to help 30 Florida families to date. 
At the conclusion of this year's event, 33 families, and over $300,000 
will have been raised and distributed to help those in need.
  This year, C.A.R.S. will be helping Gianna Palazzolo, a six year old 
girl from Bartow FL, who was seriously injured in a car accident; 
Kaitlynn Swanbeck of Auburndale FL, age sixteen and has a serious back 
disease; and Shaunna Posey-Cajigas of Titusville FL, a twenty-seven 
year old mother with a five year old son who is battling stage 4 
thyroid cancer.
  Special thanks also go to Don Nerone & Robert Hart who allowed Rick 
to begin the Charity 200 event at Orlando Speedworld in 2006. In 2012, 
the event was moved to Auburndale Speedway where Rex and Colette Guy, 
Ken & Charlotte Hyatt donated the use of the facility, paid the 
insurance and helped grow the event each year.
  Rick and Joey have had the following board members along with Rick's 
family these 12 years: Butch and Barbara Pierce, Chad and Nicole 
Pierce, and Eric Reynolds. They have all labored with love to help 
children and families facing these diseases and tough times. Many other 
loyal friends and family have volunteered to help make all these events 
possible.
  Their mission has been ``And of some have compassion, making a 
difference.'' Jude 22.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting C.A.R.S. Racing for a 
Cause, and all those who have helped make their events successful.