Four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon recently competed against fellow teammates Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. in an effort to win a $100,000 Pepsi Refresh Project grant which would benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) at the Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital.
Each driver outlined an idea for a project about which they were passionate. The idea with the most votes would then receive a $100,000 grant from the Pepsi Refresh Project to fulfill their initiative. In a very close race among all three drivers, Jimmie Johnson took home the checkered flag winning the grant for the Be The Match Foundation.
Pepsi generously awarded Gordon and Earnhardt. Jr. each a $25,000 grant for participating in the competition, the grants will be used for their respective initiatives. In a recent press conference Gordon announced that he would personally commit $75,000 in conjunction with Pepsi’s $25,000 grant in order to fulfill his project initiative to fund an additional Child Life Specialist to aid physically and sexually abused children at the Jeff Gordon Children's Hospital. “When you feel as passionately as I do about funding programs that support the treatment and care of abused children, you have to be proactive” said Gordon
“I am so thrilled that we are able to expand our multidisciplinary team by adding a Child Life Specialist to the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC). This opportunity will help aid in minimizing the trauma and provide additional emotional support for our abused children. The Child Life Specialist will also help the child to express fears and concerns; increase the child’s understanding of the medical and investigative process; provide distraction and emotional support during medical procedures; and be an advocate for the child. I am excited about the growth of the CAC’s team in helping abused children and families cope with this horrific event.” Lisa Yates, Child Life Coordinator, Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital.
The Children’s Advocacy Center at the Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital treats approximately 400 children a year for physical and sexual abuse in Cabarrus County and outlying areas.
