Three years ago, several of we RacersReunion members were making our first trip to the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte.  Just outside of Charlotte, my cell phone rang while we were sitting at a stop light.  I answered to hear the voice of Bob Hissom, a name I had heard before but could not put a face with.  Bob said he was calling to ask me to participate in the Stocks for Tots program coming up about three weeks from then.  Having heard of the Stocks for Tots program for several years, I was wondering just what kind of participation Bob had in mind.  When he told me, I remember asking him if he "knew who I was"?  I went on to explain that I was just a figure Jeff Gilder had made up to be sort of an icon for the website and that I raced once upon a long time ago but never won a race.  Bob said he knew all about me and was asking me to be a part of the program where the Legends met fans and signed autographs.  I was about as speechless as I have ever been.  I'm sure I stuttered trying to answer.

I agreed to do the event and then our group went on to the Hall of Fame and had a great day.  When I got home that night and was lying in bed I began to think about what an honor had come my way that day.  It was as if Bob knew that I love kids, love to be around kids, and love to work with kids in any way I can.   For some reason I can't explain, I love kids dearly and they seem to love me.  Someone at church told me once that children can tell who really cares about them and that person told me it was very obvious that I attracted the kids like the Pied Piper.

The next day I did some research into how the Stocks for Tots program came about and read how it came to be. Don Miller, former President of Penske Racing started the program in 1989 to help raise funds for, and raise awareness of, child abuse.  Funds are raised through the Stocks  for Tots event to help prevent child abuse and provided classes and training in parenting .  It is easier here to just ask you to go to www.stocksfortots.com and read everything on those pages to see what has been done, what is being done, and what is yet hoped for.

This year's event will start at 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for the "Legends" of the sport to sign autographs and meet with fans.  The list of those appearing is included on the Stocks for Tots website, but dropping just a few names here, like Ned Jarrett, Rex White, Bobby Allison, Richard Petty, Billy Biscoe, and Bill Blair, Jr.  Just read the list.  Then go to the list of those who will be appearing in the time slot between 7:00 and 9:00 p.m.  You will see folks like Waddell Wilson, Tim Brewer, Ryan Newman, Derricke Cope, and some dude named Dale Earnhardt, Jr.  Again, go to the SFT website to check out the complete list.

You know, as you watched all the races this year, as the drivers were preparing to get into their cars, you would see their kids hanging on to them. Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, and Kevin Harvick were always holding their kids.  You could call these kids of privilege, I guess, but kids nevertheless.  How wonderful it is to see kids so loved and so cared for.  While you are thinking about those images from your television this past season, go check out the list of 34 children's names, from the age of 1 month to 10 years, who died at the hands of their caregivers/parents in the past year in North Carolina.   The funds raised by the event next Tuesday are used for programs to help prevent further abuse of others  and to, prayerfully, prevent the death of any more children.

The effort that Don Miller gives to this event is a year long effort each and every year.  It's not something thrown together in October or November, but is a labor of love for Don.  In fact, I doubt that Don would consider it labor at all because he does what he does not for recognition or awards, but for the benefit of the children.   I was walking out of the Institute last year when Don was talking to some of the folks standing in line for the meet and greet with the stars of today. The smile was radiant, but the look on his face was beyond description.  He beamed as the line of folks waiting to meet the stars wound from the door of the large room where the stars were to appear down the hall and around the corner and that was long hallway.  You could almost read his mind that he was pleased the evening was successful.   Don may never know what child was saved because funds raised that night provided a way out of an abusive home.  But one thing for sure, Don can know that one or more children were better off because of what happened at The NASCAR Technical Institute that night.

This event is always held the second Tuesday of December, close enough to Christmas for folks to give a little extra thought to what it can mean to a child to have not only a toy he or she might not otherwise have if not for SFT, but also to remind each of us that Christmas is about children.  Never, ever forget that the first gift of Christmas was a child.  Remember that child?  He was the gift to all mankind.  It was that Child of Christmas that taught us that love, above all, is the secret to life and certainly love for a child goes beyond measure..  It is for that reason that I have a hard time thinking that an adult will abuse a child, but we know it's true.  Just watch your local news.  There is hardly a week that goes by that our local news is not reporting some parent arrested for child neglect, child abuse, or the death of a child by that parent.  Surely, the hottest corner of Hell must be reserved for those who would abuse children.

So I hope many of you, I wish all of you listening tonight, would check out the website, get your wristband ($10.00) and an unwrapped toy (at least $10.00) and come to the event. All the information you need can be found on the SFT website.

One other kid related event I would like to mention tonight is the event to be held the same day,  December 10th, at the Memory Lane Museum in Mooresville.  Beginning at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, there will be a benefit for Autism held there with many legendary drivers appearing from 11:00 a.m. til 2:00 p.m.   There will be give-aways and auctions of racing items.  Bobby Allison will appear as will Tim Flock's widow, Frances.  Morgan Shepherd is also scheduled to appear as are Danny Crump, Sr. and Danny Crump, Jr. I was at the event for autism last year and met some really remarkable kids.  Returning to Columbia, I asked around and found there are many autistic kids very close to me.  The amazing thing to me about autism is the wide spectrum of autism.  Certainly raising funds for support of research into autism is also worth one's time and effort.

As I have said many, many times, a trip to Memory Lane in itself is a trip well worth time time.  When you add some of the legendary folks from NASCAR's history, it only gets better, if that is possible. Memory Lane is also the location of the RacersReunion Hall of Fame so if you visit the event on the 10th, but sure to check out the Hall of Fame there.  There are 30 of the pioneers of the sport enshrined there and it is worth checking out the beautiful drawings of Michael W. Smith representing each of the members of that Hall of Fame.

So, folks, you know where I will be next Tuesday.  I will most likely call into the show to tell you about what you may have missed if you don't attend, providing, of course that Jeff will take my call.  Which reminds me, Jeff, be sure to give out the number so I can put it in my phone tonight.

I would also remind all you listeners that Christmas Eve is a Tuesday this year so there will be no "Racing Through History" on Tuesday, December 24th. .  Tuesday, December 17th will be our Christmas Show and, if you've been around for awhile you  know that I always try to do something special for the Christmas show.  I have no idea, yet, what I will come up with for this Christmas, but you can rest assured it will have something to do with that special Child that brought us that first Christmas.