NEWS

February 25, 2008

Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!

NASCAR Fans Unite to Raise Money for Strathroy Hospital

Every year the Bos family hosts a fun NASCAR party for their friends and family which raises funds to support Strathroy hospital. If you have a unique idea and would like to host a party in support of healthcare, contact Danielle in the Foundation office by phoning 519-245-5295 x.5044.

Everyone loves watching a race! Slick cars going fast, bumping into each other on the turns. All the pomp and pageantry, the pits and the roar of the engines. The NASCAR circuit has become a truly national sport with the Daytona 500 kicking things off in February.

Seems like a great reason to have a party, doesn't it?

Patricia and Willy Bos think so. Every year they host a NASCAR Party in honour of the Daytona 500. It's something that their 130 friends and family members, who are fellow NASCAR fans, look forward to.

For the past 5-6 years, the Bos family has hosted the NASCAR party in their own drive shed. They raffle off donated prizes from local businesses in Strathroy to a crowd of guests who enjoy great food and get to watch the highest-rated televised auto race on a huge big-screen.

All the money the Bos family receives through selling tickets and raffles are donated to Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital. This year, they were able to donate $4222 to the CT scanner campaign, all of the proceeds from their event.

“We like to give in support of the hospital, its something we all use and need,” says Patricia. “Plus it's a fun time for all of us NASCAR fans!”

Every year Patricia donates enough food and prepares it all to feed 130 hungry people who pay $25 per person to watch the Daytona 500 – a race that is regarded by many as the most important and prestigious race on the NASCAR calendar.

Patricia and Willy's daughter, Jamie, explains that the family is proud to help raise funds for the hospital by hosting the party every year.

“Our dad hangs the tax receipt in the shop to show everyone where the funds are donated, its important that the money helps the community,” says Jamie.

The 2008 race marked the 50th running of the ‘super bowl' of stock car racing, marking the golden anniversary of the first race run in 1959. The 2008 race was the first Daytona 500 run using NASCAR's Car of Tomorrow.

When asked what she thought of the 2008 race, Patricia said that she was too busy at the time preparing food, and missed the last few laps. She is however looking forward to seeing the finish of the 2009 Daytona 500 at their next party.

This year on the 197th lap, Tony Stewart stormed past Jeff Burton to take the lead. But Stewart was overtaken by Ryan Newman who surged to the front and took the checkered flag to win with some help from his team-mate Kurt Busch.

The Bos family would like to thank everyone who came out to the party, purchased tickets and donated prizes. Special thanks to Patricia and Willy Bos for donating and preparing the food and hosting. Thanks also to Jamie & Bryan Mann, Hollie & Mike White, Scott Bos and Laura Mitchell for their help.