‘Red Racer Cup Series’ aims to bank some green before dark clouds arise

When we think of the Red Cross, the first thing that comes to mind is the nation's blood supply. Certainly, the Red Cross is a key player in keeping the nation supplied with safe blood.

Or we may think of the work the Red Cross does with members of our military and their families. Not only does the Red Cross facilitate emergency communication between those serving our nation and their family, but the organization also provides financial assistance and counseling to veterans.

But no Red Cross services grab more headlines than disaster relief. Each year, the Red Cross responds to more than 70,000 disasters.

A fire claims a home - and the Red Cross is there.

During an explosion or hazardous waste spills - the Red Cross is there.

When a tornado or hurricane rips a community, the Red Cross is first on the scene to provide relief.

The Red Cross provides shelter, food, and health and mental health services. Red Cross workers understand that disasters may affect communities, but disasters happen to individuals and families. The Red Cross renders the core of disaster relief to individuals and families.

The Red Cross feeds emergency workers, handles inquiries from concerned family members outside the disaster area, provides blood and blood products to disaster victims, and helps those affected by disaster to access other available resources.

Now the Red Cross needs our help.

From May 4 through May 25, the Lenoir County Chapter of the Red Cross is sponsoring the "Red Racer Cup Series." This virtual race is titled the Massey Toyota 504. The 504 is the number of hours in the three weeks this virtual race covers.

The race will take place on the Lenoir County Red Cross Trackless Speedway.

All proceeds of this "race" will help our local Red Cross chapter be prepared when hurricane season kicks off on June 1.

"We still have about $30,000 we need to raise before hurricane season," said Judy White, executive director of the Lenoir County Red Cross chapter.

NASCAR fans should enjoy participating in this virtual race because they can buy a "lap" for their favorite driver. Each donation, dubbed an "entry fee," of five dollars translates into one lap.

However, fans can also send a five-dollar donation to fund a "penalty lap" for a driver. Any driver who receives a penalty lap will lose a lap.

So, if you like Greg Biffle but can't stand Jeff Gordon, then you can donate to help Biffle win - and you can donate to help Gordon lose.

And every donor also helps himself or herself.

"The more laps a donor buys, the better that donor's chance to win," White explained. "Each time you buy a lap, your name goes into a drawing."

Race updates will be posted on the Lenoir County Red Cross website, and Steve Hardy will announce race progress during his "Original Beach Party" from 5 to 11 p.m. on Sundays.

Even if you are not a race fan, you can still win by giving. Your donations help our local Red Cross be ready when the next hurricane or tornado strikes our area.

Roughly 60,000 people call Lenoir County home. What if every family in this county made a five-dollar donation for each person in the family? Our Red Cross would raise nearly $300,000. Imagine the impact that funding would have on our disaster preparedness.

I urge you to support this race. If you want to get involved, pick a driver and buy a few laps. If you despise a certain driver - get involved and load that driver down with penalty laps.

I already know who is going to win the "Red Racer Cup Series."

All of us.

Mike Parker is a columnist for The Free Press. He can be reached at mparker16@suddenlink.net or in care of this newspaper.