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Date Posted: February 13, 2011 |
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International Youth
Program Partners |
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A JP Post
Said co-promoter John Casale, “We are thrilled that Freedom Village has expanded their involvement in our racing program and has chosen to work with the Thunder Car class. Their belief in the potential of this group matches my own, and we look forward to building this partnership.” Freedom Village emerged onto the racing scene at Flamboro Speedway in 2009, when Reverend Mike Van Slingerland partnered with Gary Elliott and the Quaker State Late Model team. Pastor Mike was no stranger to the Saturday night racing program. “I had been visiting Flamboro regularly for nearly 30 years; since I was a kid. I love racing, and I love how it brings families together. After all those years in the stands I finally crossed the track and got involved.” Freedom Village was a co-sponsor on the Elliott Racing Team #36 Late Model, while Van Slingerland entered his own version of the #36 into the Thunder class. “I had no idea the time involved in building and maintaining a race car,” said the Pastor. “It was a lot of fun that year, getting friends out to cheer. I learned a lot about what it is to see racing from that side of pit lane.” This summer Freedom Village will further their involvement, building on team partnerships to become the title sponsor of the Thunder Car division. Working with the speedway the new partnership has nearly doubled the division point fun, and provided added incentive to race teams with a perfect attendance bonus. But Pastor Mike is clear on where that investment has come from, and the expectations for the program. “No donation monies from the Freedom Village program are used to fund our motorsports marketing efforts. We have supporters who ask to remain anonymous, who believe in the results of partnering with high-visibility programs like Flamboro Speedway racing events. Through their direction we are able to raise awareness about Freedom Village and the great programs the organization offers.”
Freedom Village is the largest home of its kind, with operations around the world including Korea and Ukraine. The Freedom Village programs serve to offer aid to thousands of young people who have been labeled “hopeless” and “unreachable”. Many have been involved in drug and alcohol abuse, criminal activity, or lived in abusive home situations. Through the compassion and guidance offered by Freedom Village many of these teens are given a second chance at life, able to move forward with an education. In fact, a number of trade graduates have succeeded in attaining positions on professional motorsports teams. Freedom Village has a strong relationship with motorsports in New York State, and has been involved in the highest level stock car organization, NASCAR. In the early 1990’s famed NASCAR crew chief James Ince facilitated the introduction of driver Ted Musgrave to Freedom Village founder and director Pastor Fletcher Brothers. Freedom Village went on to sponsor Musgrave in the 1992 season, and then John Andretti in 1994. Through the relationships built by networking with NASCAR teams Freedom Village has found a number of successful placements for young men who have been part of their program.
Cheers, JP |
For
the better part of the past decade the Flamboro Speedway Thunder
Cars have captivated the hearts and admiration of stock car racing
fans on Saturday nights. In 2011 the ultra-competitive intermediate
class of Hamilton’s asphalt arena has earned international
attention, and will partner with world-wide organization Freedom
Village for the coming season.
Freedom
Village is an organization that began in 1981, founded to provide a
home for troubled teens. The 150-acre campus is located just north
of Watkins Glen in Western New York State. At any given time, 150 –
200 young people, ages 14 to 21, who need and want help with various
aspects of their lives, are taking refuge in this warm intensive
care ward.
With
ambitions to build similar opportunities in Canada, Freedom Village
is looking for their partnership with Flamboro Speedway to help
raise awareness and attract support of the youth help program. For
as little as $30 a month – a dollar a day – you could participate in
the Adopt a Teen program and help change someone’s life forever.
For more information please visit