THE HOME DEPOT AND NMPA ANNOUNCE FINALISTS FOR THE 2009 HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
ATLANTA (November 12, 2009) ----- The Home Depot and the National
Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) announced today the finalists for
the 2009 Home Depot NMPA Humanitarian Award. Finalists for the 2009 award
are driver Greg Biffle, Tim Booth of Michigan International Speedway and
driver Tony Stewart. The three individuals will be recognized at the
upcoming NASCAR NMPA Myers Brother Awards program in Las Vegas where the
2009 Humanitarian of the Year will be announced.
The finalists for the 2009 Humanitarian Award were selected by the
Humanitarian Award Selection Committee comprised of representatives of
the NMPA and The Home Depot. All of the nominees were assessed based on
their community commitment and dedication, impact on the community and
charitable giving of their time and talents. The three nominees with the
highest scores were named finalists for the award.
"Volunteerism is important to The Home Depot and we've made a
commitment to recognize individuals that are doing outstanding projects
for the betterment of community," said Frank Bifulco, senior vice
president and chief marketing officer. "Greg, Tim and Tony have
each put forth extraordinary efforts in the name of charity and The Home
Depot is proud to be able to recognize and pay tribute to those
efforts."
"This is the first year the NMPA has been associated with the
Humanitarian Award and it is rewarding to honor the good efforts of
NASCAR members," said Dustin Long, president of the NMPA. "We
look forward to being able to recognize the hard work of the three
finalists in Las Vegas."
Greg Biffle was nominated for his work in raising awareness to the
importance of animal welfare. Establishing the Greg Biffle Foundation in
2005, Biffle's work has lead to more than 200 animal welfare
agencies in the United States receiving financial assistance which has
allowed the receiving agencies to better care for sheltered animals.
Biffle is active in the fund raising, support and publicity for the
foundation and serves as the national spokesperson for the North Shore
Animal League's Spay USA which is a nationwide network and referral
service for affordable spay/neuter services.
Tim Booth developed the project Spirit of America Blood and Marrow Drive
after the September 11 attacks on the United States. His goal with the
project was to pay tribute to the victims and survivors of the terrorist
attacks and to salute the men and women in uniform while increasing the
nation's blood supply. The inaugural event took place September 11,
2002 and has become an annual event. The event has grown to include
co-sponsorship from the NASCAR Foundation, National Marrow Donor Program
and Hendrick Marrow Foundation and has resulted in 30 additional tracks
around the country hosting their own blood and marrow drives.
Tony Stewart was nominated for his annual event Prelude to the Dream
which supports injured and fallen service members and their families.
Stewart launched the annual event in 2005 and it has grown in stature and
notoriety every year. The event includes participation from the
world's top drivers, an exclusive HBO Pay-Per-View television
package and a sold-out race event. The 2009 Prelude brought 25
world-class drivers to a short-track shootout in an effort to raise
money. Proceeds from the event were used to help organizations such as
Wounded Warriors, Operation Homefront, Intrepid Fund and Fisher House.
The winner of the 2009 Humanitarian Award will be announced at the annual
NASCAR NMPA Myers Brother Awards program in Las Vegas on December 3. The
winner will receive a specially-designed crystal trophy and a $100,000
cash donation to the recipient's designated charity. Additionally,
the two remaining finalists will each receive $25,000 cash donations to
their respective charitable organizations.
The NMPA Home Depot Humanitarian Award was established in 2007. The
inaugural Humanitarian Award winner was Don Miller, a former Penske
Racing executive. Miller started the Stock-for-Tots program as a holiday
event to collect toys and raise funds for Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN).
Richard Childress, president and CEO of Childress Racing, won the 2008
edition of the Humanitarian Award. Childress established the Childress
Institute for Pediatric Trauma at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
in 2008. Traumatic injury is the leading cause of death for children in
the United States, and the Childress Institute focuses on research,
education, treatment, prevention and raising awareness of childhood
injuries.
The Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement specialty
retailer, with 2,238 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of
Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces,
Mexico and China. In fiscal 2008, The Home Depot had sales of $71.3
billion and earnings from continuing operations of $2.3 billion. The
Company employs more than 300,000 associates. The Home Depot's stock is
traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the
Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor's 500 index.
-credit: NMPA and Home Depot
