Contact: Priscilla Knight, 703-392-1580, pknight@novec.com
NORTHERN VIRGINIA -- Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative’s Hands Engaged in Local Public Service hosted Family Fun Day with Pinewood Car Derby on Sept. 11, 2010, at NOVEC’s Gainesville facility. HELPS raised more than $2,000 for the Wounded Warriors Project and other community organizations.
Christine Kelly, Family Fun Day chairwoman, said, “The day couldn’t have been nicer. From the pinewood car derby, to the moon bounce, inflatable slide, dunk tank, games and crafts, people from the community had fun!”
Before the derby began, Mike Curtis, NOVEC vice president, Public Relations, asked for a moment of silence to remember the 9/11/2001 victims and all military service men and women who have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Kelly said, “We had more than 40 pinewood cars on the racetrack from people of all ages. We even had a NOVEC bucket truck whittled from a block of wood. Its detail was amazing!”
Kelly noted that participants enjoyed seeing the fire and rescue trucks from the Gainesville District and Nokesville volunteer fire departments. She said, “People watched dogs from the Virginia Search and Rescue Dog Association follow commands, and admired NOVEC line technicians who raced up utility poles and soared 90 feet into the air in a utility bucket. They examined every racing stripe and nut-and-bolt on four brightly painted Old Dominion race cars on display.”
In addition to raising money for the Wounded Warriors Project, HELPS raised funds for the Virginia Search & Rescue Dog Association, March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, Caisson Platoon Equine Assisted Program, Autism Society, Hemophilia of Virginia, and Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure walk.
“HELPS thanks Uno Chicago Grill of Gainesville, Chick-fil-A, and Good Humor ice cream for helping us raise money with their delicious food,” Kelly said. “We also thank Michael Harper, audio engineer, The U.S. Army Band ‘Pershing’s Own,’ for running the sound equipment, and John Knox, owner, Audio Solutions in Woodbridge, for donating the equipment.”
NOVEC HELPS co-sponsors local charitable events financially or with the volunteer resources of employees, family, and friends. Health, education, youth, community, and arts organizations requesting help from NOVEC HELPS must be tax-exempt under IRS section 501(c) (3).
