FANS CAN HELP SEND U.S. TROOPS TO IMS EVENTS IN 2014

‘Wish Fund’ provides four methods to salute American heroes through W4OH program

INDIANAPOLIS, Thursday, April 3, 2014 – WISH for OUR HEROES (W4OH), the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Indiana National Guard are teaming up to provide fans with an opportunity to help send active United States military or veterans to the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis, Indianapolis 500, Kroger Super Weekend at the Brickyard or Red Bull Indianapolis GP in 2014.

The “Wish Fund” program gives fans four ways to salute American service members through contributions or donations at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/wish4ourheroes or www.wish4ourheroes.org

• Text to donate: By texting the word ‘America’ to 20222, a $10 donation will automatically be deducted from the sender’s telephone bill.
• Contribute funds: Contribute $5 or more toward the purchase of a 2014 IMS event ticket for an active-duty service member or veteran.
• Purchase tickets: Purchase a 2014 IMS event ticket for an active-duty service member or veteran.
• Donate tickets: Donate extra or unused 2014 IMS event tickets to an active-duty service member or veteran.

WISH for OUR HEROES is a national charity dedicated to “Helping Heroes Battle Hardships” by granting wishes to military and their families. WISH for OUR HEROES is a volunteer-based organization, allowing every dollar donated to directly assist the troops. Since 2009, more than $7 million has been granted to military heroes. To assist with a $10 donation, text “AMERICA to 20222. For more information visit: www.wish4ourheroes.org

“Honoring active and retired servicemen and women at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is one of our longest and most important traditions,” said J. Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president. “We are pleased to continue our partnership with Wish For Our Heroes and look forward to once again hosting military personnel and their families as guests during all of our racing events this year.”

Fans who donate the purchase price of a ticket to the “Wish Fund” can designate the service branch and service status (active, reserves, National Guard, veteran, wounded veteran) of the ticket recipient. “Wish Fund” contributors who donate tickets or the purchase price of a ticket also can receive a picture of the military recipient and learn more about their dedicated service to the country.

“We are proud to enter our third year working alongside IMS and ING to reward our brave men and women serving our country,” said Erich Orrick, WISH for OUR HEROES president. “The strains of military life take their toll on Military families, and through this program, our mission is to provide them with the experience of a lifetime and do our part to thank them for all of the sacrifices they’ve made for us.”

Wish For Our Heroes was launched in November 2009 to grant wishes for active-duty soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and their families and is a tax-exempt charity under Code Section 501(c)(3). W4OH strives to relieve the burdens of family separation, reintegration for deployed soldiers, hardship circumstances and other means of assistance not covered by existing military charities.

The purpose of W4OH is simple: Reward brave men and women who make so many sacrifices for our great nation every day.