Hendrick Motorsports is donating over $300,000 to the Ukrainian Relief effort by Samaritan’s Purse, according to Christian Headlines. With an initial donation of $200,000, Hendrick Motorsports pledged to donate an additional $2,000 for each lap led by their team in last Sunday’s NASCAR race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Samaritan’s Purse has been providing relief to Ukrainian refugees and they have most recently set up an emergency field hospital in Ukraine.
Committed to supporting Samaritan’s Purse, the team of Hendrick Motorsports led a total of 51 laps during the race, with team member Kyle Larson’s car featuring the Samaritan’s Purse website and the message “Support Ukraine.” Christian Headlines reports, “team member Alex Bowman won the race and led 16 laps, while teammate Kyle Larson finished second after leading 27 laps. Another Hendrick member, William Byron, finished fifth and led eight laps.”
Rick Hendrick shared that he believes in using the “powerful platform” of NASCAR to help people in need. Watching the crisis unfold in Ukraine, Hendrick explained that they have been “especially struck by the needless suffering inflicted on innocent children.” Hendrick Motorsports hopes that their efforts to support Ukraine will inspire NASCAR fans to donate more support through any organization that is providing critical humanitarian aid and assistance. Hendrick urged people not to ignore the crisis in Ukraine and is encouraging people to get involved with relief efforts either through Samaritan’s Purse or other organizations.
The president of Samaritan’s Purse, Franklin Graham, shared his deep gratitude for Hendrick Motorsports’ generous donation and for their support of Ukraine. Noting that Ukrainians desperately need help and prayer, Graham is grateful to be able to provide for their needs as they continue to face the hardships of war.