Comcast, NASCAR join forces to build up Bristol – Nascar

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Joining more than 1,500 local Comcast NBCUniversal employees and their families, friends and community partners to “make change happen” this weekend, the NASCAR industry and select NASCAR XFINITY Series™ drivers will be supporting the 16th^{annual Comcast Cares Day, the nation’s largest single-day corporate volunteer event. These volunteers will participate in 15 different projects across the Greater Knoxville area to celebrate the day, joining more than 100,000 volunteers at nearly 1,000 projects across the country.}

Among the events in the area, Comcast volunteers helped assemble housing materials at a Habitat for Humanity “ReStore” Center for a local family in Johnson City on Friday. NASCAR XFINITY Series drivers who are racing in the Fitzgerald Glider Kits 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway joined the project to support Comcast’s efforts.

“The NASCAR family has been so welcoming to Comcast and programs like Comcast Cares Day that are important to us as a company, and the outpouring of support at this year’s events near Bristol Motor Speedway are no exception,” explained Matt Lederer, Executive Director, Sports Brand Marketing, Comcast. “Participation from our drivers and support from NASCAR is a great addition to this project and represents the heart of everyone coming together to volunteer in the community.”

Comcast and NASCAR volunteers are also donating their time to support the Appalachia Service Project on Saturday, April 22, through the “Race to Build” project at Bristol Motor Speedway. Volunteers will build homes that will serve families in the Bristol area. Select NASCAR drivers and Comcast employees joined the group on Saturday morning to “wave the green flag” on the start of the project and assist volunteers in the morning in the fan midway at the track.

Drivers Brennan Poole, Tyler Reddick, JJ Yeley, Garrett Smithley, Harrison Rhodes, Joey Gase, Ross Chastain, Justin Allgaier, Jordan Anderson and Quinn Houff participated in the weekend’s service projects. As a part of the NASCAR Race To Green initiative, NASCAR also donated trees to be planted at the family home.

“The NASCAR community is so strong and they’re willing to lend a helping hand at any time,” Poole said. “So for me to be a part of this, and do cool things like this thanks to Comcast’s partnership with the XFINITY Series is really special.”

“It’s great that through XFINITY’s partnership we can come out on a race day and participate in Comcast Cares Day,” said Allgaier. “Being a part of the XFINITY Series allows us to be involved in so many different events and projects we wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to, including what we’re doing here today, helping out some local Bristol families through the Appalachia Service Project.”

Comcast Cares Day is more than just a day — it’s the culmination of Comcast NBCUniversal’s commitment to volunteerism that began when the company was founded more than 50 years ago.  From using technology to create positive change, such as wiring community centers and libraries and teaching digital literacy skills, to mentoring youth, to beautifying parks, Comcast NBCUniversal employees volunteer on this day, and throughout the year, to make a lasting impact. This year, the Company expects more than 100,000 volunteers to participate in approximately 900 projects across the country and around the world. To date, volunteers have contributed nearly 5 million volunteer hours at 7,700 projects since Comcast Cares Day began in 2001. 

“We are proud to team up with so many incredible organizations this year as we celebrate our 16th annual Comcast Cares Day,” said Doug Guthrie, Regional Senior Vice President, Comcast. “We are thankful for the participants who are stepping up and helping to make a difference in our community.”

The Comcast Foundation will also provide grants to local community partner organizations across the country on behalf of everyone who volunteers on Comcast Cares Day. The grants will help Comcast’s community partners continue their mission of serving the community throughout the year. To date, the Comcast Foundation has awarded more than $20 million in grants to local non-profit organizations who have served as partners on Comcast Cares Day.