The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer, a member of the “SEMA Cares Family of Charities,” will host a “Build Day” on May 19, with children and their family members preparing Pinewood Derby miniature race cars to compete in the SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races prior to the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser on July 20 in Los Angeles.
Build Day activities will take place at the foundation’s Educational Advancement Center (EAC) at 232 E.
11th street, Suite 100 in Chattanooga, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Pinewood Derby Cars will be built, painted and decorated for the SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races’ “Build It For Me/Sponsor A Child” class. The annual races feature more than 200 cars in three vehicle classes, with Stock and Unlimited the other two classes.
The Build It For Me/Sponsor A Child class allows SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) members who do not wish to build their own derby car the chance to still compete by donating and sponsoring one of the cars built on May 19 at the EAC, as well as cars built by two other SEMA-affiliated charities – Childhelp and Victory Junction.
On May 19, in addition to the race vehicle they prepare, each child will have the opportunity to build a second Pinewood Derby car to keep. Children battling cancer and survivors of the disease will participate, along with their family members. The children and family members participating are beneficiaries of the foundation’s innovative programs and services provided at no cost.
The SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races – celebrating its 10th anniversary this year – will be held at the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City.
“We are tremendously proud of our affiliation with SEMA,” said Austin Hatcher Foundation President Amy Jo Osborn. “And now, our Build Day enables us to involve children and their families from our local Austin Hatcher ‘community’ in a national event. Not only does this help expand awareness of our mission to erase the effects of pediatric cancer, it also creates a fantastic, fun day for the kids, their parents and their siblings. Everyone wins.”