GOD’S PIT CREW VOLUNTEER RECOGNIZED AS FINALIST FOR PREMIER SPORTS PHILANTHROPIC AWARD PRESENTED BY THE NASCAR FOUNDATION
DANVILLE, VA. (October 23, 2024) – God’s Pit Crew volunteer, Judy Simmons, has a large heart for caring for others in need, and when she isn’t packing a Play Pail with toys and books for children, she can be found cheering on her favorite race car drivers. These two traits were key in recognizing Simmons as one of four finalists for the 14th annual Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award presented by The NASCAR Foundation.
The NASCAR Foundation’s Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award recognizes NASCAR fans who volunteer for children’s causes in their local racing communities. Each finalist receives a minimum $25,000 donation for their organization, with the overall winner receiving a $100,000 donation from The NASCAR Foundation to further their efforts.
The final four announcement, which was made live during Dave Moody’s segment on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, highlighted each volunteer’s commitment to improving the lives of children across the country.
In her six years at God’s Pit Crew, Simmons has provided hope for countless children by volunteering in the ministry’s Play Pail department. Play Pails are three-gallon containers filled with resources carefully chosen to meet a child’s spiritual, physical, and emotional needs following a natural disaster. Items such as teddy bears, blankets, crayons, hairbrushes, and much more are lovingly packed inside the Play Pails, and then placed into the hands of children impacted by disaster.
Simmons shared that being able to provide hope for children experiencing these heartbreaking situations means so much to her because of her own childhood experience.
“I know what it was like to not have anything of my own growing up, so I want to make sure these children feel loved and cared for even in the chaos around them. When you bring those Play Pails and give them to the kids, those are their own little things to hold onto because they’ve lost everything else,” explained Simmons. “Kids have always been a big part of my heart.”
Living just outside of Martinsville, Virginia, Simmons is surrounded by racing thrills and attractions. She spends most weekdays volunteering at God’s Pit Crew’s headquarters in Danville; however, in her free time she can be found in the grandstands of South Boston Speedway or cheering for her favorite NASCAR drivers at Martinsville Speedway.
God’s Pit Crew President and Founder Randy Johnson spoke of Simmons saying, “She is just an incredible individual and is so jolly and so full of life. Judy imparts that spirit of happiness into everyone here at God’s Pit Crew. That’s just who she is – she lives to be pouring into other people.”
“If I can make one person smile a day, then I’ve done my job and it makes my heart happy,” expressed Simmons.
The winner of the 2024 Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award and $100,000 donation will be determined by an online vote, which is now open. To help Judy Simmons advance to the winner’s circle, vote once a day, every day through November 18 at 6:00 PM (EST).
To learn more about Judy Simmons’ involvement and impact with God’s Pit Crew, and to vote each day, visit NASCARfoundation.org/Award. The overall winner will be announced during the NASCAR Awards in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Friday, November 22.
