From a press release issued by California Speedway:

Hundreds of residents, including many race fans, came to support the “Race for Relief” at California Speedway this weekend. During the two-day effort to aid those displaced by the Southern California wildfires more than $20,000 was raised in addition to four 24-ft. Penske Truckloads and numerous Toyota Tundra loads of clothing, diapers, blankets, food, toys and personal hygiene items. With all the trucks loaded with items, speedway workers also filled one garage bay in Garage 3 in the infield.

“On behalf of all the people we serve, staff and volunteers of the American Red Cross we would like to thank California Speedway for the support and commitment to the community,” Sandy Silva, Inland Valley Chapter CEO of the American Red Cross, said. “The speedway should be commended for helping the fire victims rebuild and get back on their feet.”

The “Race for Relief” was an opportunity for many residents to show kind-hearted gestures of generosity to those who effected by the fires. One such gesture was from the Wheeler family of Running Springs, Calif., who were evacuated earlier this week from their home. Despite not knowing whether their home still stands they made an incredible donation of $1,000 to the Southern California Fire Disaster Relief Fund, which benefits the American Red Cross.

Another goodhearted gesture was when a little girl dropped off bags of brand-new toys. The toys were partially wrapped in birthday wrapping that the seven year-old girl received and then gave her own birthday presents to children displaced by the wildfires.

A group of UCLA medical students made the trek to the speedway from Los Angeles to donate items. As well, a trio of members from the Pomona Chinese Christian Church donated approximately 300 hand-sewn blankets for the cold nights. Henry Hung, Kevin Yao and Felicia Yao brought the blankets from their church, which gathered together this morning for church service and collected the blankets.

Monetary contributions will continue through mid-November as many speedway partners and companies associated with racing, such as Bridgestone, have made financial commitments and the deadline for speedway ticket holders to donate the purchase price of their ticket from the King Taco 200 and King Taco 500 is November 14.

For more information on the “Race for Relief” please visit www.californiaspeedway.com. For more information on the Southern California Fire Disaster Relief Fund and the American Red Cross visit their website at www.crossnet.org.