Rick Hendrick has had to battle through some hard times. He has overcome a battle with leukemia and lost his only son in a plane crash. In the same plane crash he lost his brother, his twin nieces and fellow Hendrick Motorsports employees. Is it humanly possible to heal from such a series of unfortunate, life-altering events?
"I've always said without my faith and my family I would go nuts," Hendrick said. "On a good day you feel guilty that you're not thinking about them and then on a bad day you wish you could think about something else."
One branch of Hendrick's charitable efforts includes the Hendrick Marrow Program, established in 1997 to support those suffering from leukemia and other blood-related issues. In 1999, Hendrick was honored with The Marrow Foundation's Leadership for Life Award; fitting for a man who continues to be a leader in life as well.
In 2004 in honor of Hendrick's brother John, the Hendrick Foundation for Children was created improving the quality of life for thousands of sick children around the country. This week Hendrick donated $1 million to a small community college in Matthews, N.C.,. Through his contribution, the campus dedicated its new automotive training center -- Joe Hendrick Center for Automotive Technology -- to Hendrick's late father. And this fall, through the foundation's more than $3 million worth of charitable donations, a pediatric intensive care center inside Charlotte's Levine Children's Hospital will be named after Hendrick's late son, Ricky.
CONCORD, N.C. - The third annual Ricky Hendrick Memorial Charity Ride, presented by the Hendrick Foundation for Children, will make its way to Lowe's Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 6. Staging for the event begins at 7:30 a.m. local time at Knights Stadium, home of the Charlotte Knights baseball club, in Fort Mill, S.C., and the first motorcycle will depart at 11:30 a.m. The 48-mile trek will conclude at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., with all ride proceeds benefiting the Levine Children's Hospital at Carolinas Medical Center. Riders are asked to make a $20 contribution in advance or $25 the day of the event.
"The ride has been a great success the past two years," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports and chairman of Hendrick Automotive Group. "Ricky was always so passionate about helping others, especially children, and this event is a fitting way to honor his memory while giving back to the children of our community. "I can't tell you how appreciative we are of all the people -- the riders, sponsors and volunteers -- who have made the ride so much fun. To see that many motorcycles rumbling down the interstate is pretty incredible. We've been so humbled by the response."
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