Do you know what really got my attention and excited me recently? That one of our own NHRA Community Family Racers started a program to help Our Military Vets, the Homeless, and the Jobless! How wonderful is that? Being a Veteran, this really sparked my interest. In todays economy, you see and hear about government programs shutting down, and less money being allocated to programs that help those who served our country to keep it Free.
Well, I'd like to introduce you to Andrew and Dina Parise of Parise Racing who started a program that will help those Vets that are needing assistance. They firmly believe that out Freedom is not Free, and I will be the first to agree. Men and woman throughout our history, have devoted their time and skills to protect this land we call the UNITED STATES. Many have become disabled, some have lost their lives, and many have lost their way. They are hoping that your donations will help put an ease to all their fears. A link to where you can help with donations will be listed at the bottom of this blog.
Andrew Parise grew up in a Military background. Though he rarely speaks about it. The Parise’s as a couple and as a team have the belief that we all need to remember one thing; Freedom is Not Free. That simple, possibly overused all but cliché saying has quite a bit of meaning to the Parise Racing team. It has become a bit of a mantra, if you will.
So, it began with a tribute to our U.S. Military in the way of paint schemes on the cars. They began with Andrew’s 53 Corvette. In the form of a p-40 Warhawk fighter Jet, they added; POW flags, fallen soldiers and an American flag. How much further could Parise Racing go? Much further! Dina’s 63 Corvette paint consists of protesters to Medevac helicopters and a Vietnam wall on one side to a stealth bomber, and soldiers on the other.The team has now stepped it up again! Andrew’s ’53 was recently repainted. You just have to see these cars to believe them.
Was paint really enough? Absolutely not. The tribute progressed from paint to philanthropy. The Parise’s began raising donations for the Wounded Warrior Project. They raise the donations at every event they attend, as well as through a ‘Donate Now’ button on their website. When visiting the website, feel free to make a fast, easy secure donation by using the ‘Donate Now’ button’! Although the WWP is a wonderful charity, the Parise’s also wanted to create some personal interaction with Military personnel. In turn Vettes for Vets was created. Through this program the Parise’s have created a VIP program on race days to invite Veterans, wounded warriors and active duty Military for a fun day of racing. Off the track, the Parise’s are working toward the future in the hopes to help to conquer many different problems facing Veterans today; Homelessness, joblessness and healthcare to name a few. The Parise’s trying to begin that process. Expanding on a program that is created by the team, means allocating funds exactly where they see fit.
There is a bright future for the Vettes for Vets program. What the team could use now is a bit of backing to kick start their program. They are hoping to find sponsors willing to do so.
The Parise’s charitable involvement does not start and end with our Nation’s Military Members. The team also raises awareness and funds for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The team has found that unfortunately, at two can tend to overlap one another.
In 2005 a close friend to the Parise team was diagnosed with the disease and so began, ‘Racing for a Cure’. The Parise’s began this endeavor as Super Comp racers, and still continue it today. When visiting the website, feel free to make a fast, easy secure donation by using the ‘Donate Now’ button’!
In closing, I feel this is a great asset to the NHRA Community. Their hard work, passion, and determination I feel will be very successful. I am very proud to say that I am overwhelmed, and excited about the Parise's involvement to reach out to help our Vets. Charitable work, striving to make a difference, and going the extra mile is what the NHRA and sponsors are all about, and they have taken it to Heart.
Please help with your donations by clicking the link below. Also, to see the great art work and paint schemes on their cars, you can also click the link to their web site.
Link to Parise Racing Web Site:
http://www.pariseracing.com/
Link for Causes and Donations:
http://www.pariseracing.com/causes.php
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