The Jimmie Johnson Foundation announced Thursday the five recipients of this year’s $25,000 Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope grants. The Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope program invites fans and consumers across the country to nominate not-for-profit (501c3) organizations that support K-12 public education for the opportunity to receive one of five available grant packages.
“The $25,000 would allow the HHEF to continue our teacher creativity and instructional enhancement grant program that would help to improve student academic achievement,” said Melissa Martin, Hamilton Heights Educational Foundation president. “We are excited and honored to be a recipient of this grant. This money will help us to reach more students and impact their education in a more diverse way, as well as increasing the amount of grants we fund.”
The five grant recipients are:
- Hamilton Heights Educational Foundation in Arcadia
- Life Pieces to Masterpieces in Washington, D.C.
- Read Better Be Better in Phoenix, Ariz.
- Siouxland Ag in the Classroom in Moville, Iowa
- The Pencil Box in Tulsa, Okla.
The final five were selected via a week-long public vote. More than 280,000 votes were cast for the 10 semi-finalists during the voting period.
“The semi-finalist charities were so creative in how they engaged their supporters this year. They worked really hard and all of them did a great job,” said Johnson. “Chani [Johnson’s wife] and I are so grateful to our friends at Blue Bunny for making this opportunity available. We’re proud to be able to support the amazing work these non-profits are doing on behalf of K-12 public education.”
In addition to a $25,000 grant, each of the five recipient organizations will receive a Blue Bunny ice cream party and special recognition on Johnson’s race helmet during the NASCAR Cup Series race on July 14, 2018 at Kentucky Speedway. To date, the Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope program has contributed more than $1 million to 101 different charities.
“Congratulations to the five recipients of the 2018 Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope grants,” stated Mike Wells, President & CEO, Wells Enterprises, Inc., maker of Blue Bunny ice cream. “The rallying effort by the fans and supporters of the 10 semi-finalists is always impressive and illustrates the energy and passion around the purpose and mission of each organization. It is an honor to help each of them further the important work they are committed to around education.”
Thanks to the generosity of Wells Enterprises, Inc., the remaining five semi-finalist charities will each receive a $1,000 grant and a Blue Bunny Ice Cream party as well.
For additional information about the Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope program, visit helmetofhope.org.
About the Jimmie Johnson Foundation
Chandra and Jimmie Johnson launched the Jimmie Johnson Foundation in February 2006. Johnson, the seven-time NASCAR Cup champion, drives the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in NASCAR’s top series. The mission of the Foundation is to assist children, families and communities in need throughout the United States. The Foundation has committed more than $11 million to various charities. The Foundation currently focuses on K-12 public education. For additional information on the Jimmie Johnson Foundation, please visit jimmiejohnsonfoundation.org.
About the Hamilton Heights Educational Foundation
For over 30 years, the Hamilton Heights Educational Foundation has been creating opportunities, impacting student success and making a difference in the overall educational experience for Heights’ early childhood through grade 12 students. The Foundation provides monetary grants for teachers who initiate classroom instructional proposals that demonstrate a high degree of creativity and instructional enhancement designed to improve student academic achievement.