Officials of the Bristol chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities (SCC) announced Thursday evening that it raised a significant total of $453,100 despite the challenges from a worldwide pandemic that hampered much of their fundraising efforts throughout the year.
Checks from that total are being distributed tonight during the annual Night of Smiles presented by State Water Heaters event to many rural-area child-focused agencies throughout Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. The special event will begin streaming live on the BMS Facebook page at 6:30 p.m.
This year’s Night of Smiles event has a different look and feel, as representatives from each of the agencies being honored take a tour of the Pinnacle Speedway In Lights in their vehicles and then receive their checks in a socially-distanced manner from SCC-Bristol executive director Claudia Byrd as cars cross the start/finish line of the Bristol Motor Speedway oval.
“There's no greater blessing than to be here at the Night of Smiles presented by State Water Heaters and help give away the money raised to area agencies that are going to help children in need in our community,” Byrd said. “This year has been especially challenging for us all given the pandemic, but we were able to forge ahead despite the obstacle. Although demand for assistance will always exceed our ability to assist, we're so thankful to everyone who has donated and volunteered throughout the years to help us raise nearly $17 million. We would not be able to do this without your love and support.”
Night of Smiles presented by State Water Heaters is the culmination of a year of SCC fundraising events, including The Pinnacle Speedway in Lights, which opens for its 24th season on Friday, Nov. 13 at 6 p.m.
Organizations that received funding from Bristol Motor Speedway's Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities during the Night of Smiles event includes:
Abuse Alternatives
American Red Cross of NE Tennessee
American Red Cross of SW Virginia
Arc of Washington County
Assistance and Resource Ministries
Bethany Christian Services of East TN
Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee
Boys & Girls Club of Central Appalachia
Boys & Girls Club of Elizabethton/Carter County
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kingsport
Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville & Greene County
Boys & Girls Club of Johnson City/Washington County
Boys & Girls Club of Morristown
Bread of Life Children’s Ministry
Bristol Faith in Action
Bristol Regional Speech & Hearing Center
Cap the Gap for Foster Care
CARE Center
Carter County Foster Care Association
CASA for Kids
Children’s Advocacy Center of the first Judicial District
Children’s Advocacy Center of Highlands Community Services
Children’s Advocacy Center of Sullivan County
Child Advocacy Center of the 3rd Judicial District
Christmas Box of Northeast Tennessee
Communities in Schools SWVA
Community Help Center of Northeast Tennessee
Crossroads Medical Mission
Family Crisis Support Services
Family Promise of Greater Kingsport
Feeding Southwest Virginia
FRIENDS
Girls Incorporated of Bristol
Girls Incorporated of Johnson City/Washington County
Girls Incorporated of Kingsport
Girls on the Run of Northeast Tennessee
Greater Kingsport Family YMCA
Healing Hands Health Center
Holston Habitat for Humanity
Holston United Methodist Home for Children
Hope House
Isaiah 117 House
Jeremiah School
Jericho Shrine Center
Johnson County Safe Haven
Literacy Council of Kingsport
LXI
Mountain Kids Inc.
Mountain Region Speech and Hearing
Of One Accord
Reading Buddies Bristol TN/VA
Ridin’ High Therapeutic Horse Program
Rise Up
Rivers Way
Santa Pal
Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee
Shepherd’s Inn
Small Miracles Therapeutic Equestrian Center
Southern Appalachian Ronald McDonald House Charities
St. Anthony Bread Food Pantry
Sullivan County Sheriff’s Auxiliary
SYNERGY Foundation
Taking Action for Special Kids
TLC Community Center
Unicoi Family YMCA
United Way of Southwest Virginia
Waiting to Hear
YMCA of Bristol
Young Life Bristol
Young Life Kingsport
Young Life Upper East Tennessee
YWCA of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia
Long hailed as the premier holiday display in the Appalachian Highlands Region, The Pinnacle Speedway in Lights powered by TVA spreads across a four-mile route illuminated by more than 2 million lights among 250 displays. A trip through the light show sends guests down historic Bristol Dragway and all throughout the property, culminating with a lap around the iconic Bristol Motor Speedway half-mile oval.
The Pinnacle Speedway in Lights runs through Saturday, Jan. 2. In addition to the Jingle Bell Lane presented by Citi fast pass option, the event costs $20 for cars from Sunday through Thursday and $25 on Friday and Saturday nights. For larger groups, vans are $50 and buses are $125.
For more information about the Pinnacle Speedway In Lights powered by TVA, please visit the BMS website.
