Truex takes part in Oprah's 'Big Give'
Rarely are the names Martin Truex Jr. and Oprah Winfrey likely uttered in the same sentence.
But when it comes to helping children, the Dale Earnhardt Inc. driver and the TV personality are on the same page.
Truex recently took part in a charitable fundraiser spearheaded by Winfrey to donate items to fill back packs for almost 1,500 children in the Charlotte area through the Second Harvest Metrolina Food Bank.
The charitable fundraiser, dubbed "Oprah's Big Give," is being held by ABC television affiliates throughout the country as part of the talk show host's "Big Give" TV series.
Truex was one of the first to donate to the Charlotte ABC affiliate, WSOC-TV. After receiving $10,000 from Oprah's show, WSOC-TV challenged Charlotte area businesses to help. Truex and his staff at the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation donated diecast cars and hero cards, and sought cash and product donations from other drivers in the NASCAR community.
The station has garnered almost $40,000, so much that Winfrey's staff gave another $30,000 to the top-3 ABC affiliates across the country, including WSOC-TV, to see how much further they could take their giving. Other NASCAR drivers have stepped up to the challenge with pallets of Gatorade, board games, books and canned goods for the kids.
“Coming to Talladega always reminds me of how blessed I am,” Truex said in reference to the site of Sunday's Sprint Cup race. “I used to dream about racing here, and I got to this point in my career because I’ve always been surrounded by a loving family and supportive friends. I feel like I should give back to the community and, hopefully, make an impact in someone’s life.”
