GARDENA, Calif. – The Carroll Shelby Foundation (CSF) has launched a campaign to benefit kids nationwide with a combination of local grassroots events and a fundraiser centered on a collectible Shelby Christmas tree ornament. Established by automotive icon and philanthropist Carroll Shelby, the Carroll Shelby Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit that provides medical and educational support for children from their first heartbeat through their college years.
CSF designed a program to help car clubs hold their own charity drives to collect toys and raise funds in their communities for donation to a charity or children’s hospital. In addition, the Foundation will offer the first annual limited edition ornament in Shelby blue both online and at the new Carroll Shelby Store to raise money for the Eli Home, which is a shelter for victims of child abuse and neglect. The Carroll Shelby Foundation will offer the only official Shelby ornament in the world this year.
“Carroll always said that car people were the most generous and caring group in the world,” said Jenni Shreeves, executive director of the Carroll Shelby Foundation. “Our goal is to spark that giving spirit. Since car clubs have embraced our previous holiday drive, this year we ‘put the pedal to the floor’ with a campaign designed to put even more smiles on children in need.”
The Foundation will help clubs jump start their local drive by donating toys, as well as an official Foundation Toy Drive decal for their members. Local clubs are responsible for setting up their toy drive, collection and delivery to a chosen charity.
A new addition to the program is the limited edition Shelby blue ornament bearing the legendary “snake” logo. Proceeds from the sale of the $20 ornaments (not including shipping and handling) will benefit the Southern California-based Eli Home.
Mike and Lorri Galloway established the Eli Home in 1983. Family, friends and volunteers rallied to their cause and helped open the first shelter for abused children and their mothers only 18 months later. Today, the Eli Home is a multi-faceted faith-based organization with three shelter facilities, a 13,000-square-foot thrift store social enterprise, corporate offices, professional counseling and therapy staff, organizational staff, dedicated volunteers and board members. Its history of awards and accolades include citations from U.S. Presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton.
“We shelter, comfort, heal, encourage and strengthen victims of child abuse and neglect,” said Lorri Galloway, executive director of the Eli Home. “Our goal is to break the cycle of child abuse and prepare these kids to reenter the community to lead stable, non-violent lives, free from fear and intimidation.”
Car clubs can participate in the grassroots program by logging on to the Carroll Shelby Foundation website, completing a registration form and returning it by email to [email protected] or by faxing to (310) 538-0419.
The last day to register is Friday, Dec. 13, 2013. The ornaments are available at the new Carroll Shelby Store located at 19021 S. Figueroa St. in Gardena, Calif., or at http://www.cscf.org/donate/holiday-tree-ornament/.
“The holidays can be trying for many families due to medical bills and other hardships,” said Shreeves. “So this year, we’re incorporating new ways for people to join our fight for the kids.”
