Drag Racing Association of Women

               "Fast Help for Fast Friends"

 

 

 

 


 



DRAW's motto is "Fast Help For Fast Friends" and our sole mission is providing financial and emotional support to qualified individuals involved in a drag racing accident at a track.

Financial assistance paid 1985-2021 - $5,056,156
Number of families assisted 1985-2021 - 947


DRAW GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING 2023


DRAW, the Drag Racing Association of Women, will be holding
their annual general membership meeting on Sunday, September 3, 2023 during the U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil IndianapolisRaceway Park, 10267 U.S. Hwy. 136, Indianapolis, IN 46234.
The meeting will be held at 9 am in the NAPA/Scags/JCM Hospitality area in the Pro pits.
This is your chance to meet DRAW officers, members of the
Board of Trustees, and other members. We will be discussing
this year’s fundraising efforts, injured racers and have an open
forum to answer questions pertaining to the charity.
If you have any questions, contact
Chris Hardesty at 309-825-3843 or
Rosalee Noble at 217-549-6472.
Hope to see everyone at the U.S. Nationals

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The History Lesson

Deb Thompson, DRAW Historian

I just returned from being at the Gatornationals in Gainesville, FL. It was
a great week I think for most everyone. DRAW held its annual Tracy Winters
Memorial Golf Tournament. It was a day of beautiful weather and lots
of fun and support for DRAW/injured racers. The racing was good, weather
was perfect with only one session of qualifying rained out on Friday...a big
change from 2022! The DRAW booth sales were good with our new T-shirts
received well, to the point that we sold out of some sizes!
I recently read a poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson that starts “Write it on
your heart that every day is the best day in the year...” and ends with “This
new day is too dear, with its hopes and invitations, to waste a moment on
the yesterdays.” Certainly, this is not easy to accomplish but a worthy goal.
I returned from Florida with some major life changes to sort through and
plan for. Many of us have turmoil and difficulties we face daily, especially
our injured racers. My issues are minor and manageable compared to some.
But it is true that each day brings new hope, new possibilities. Certainly,
our history plays a part in where we are today, but going forward there will
always be new opportunities to focus on, new changes in our own lives and
the opportunity to find ways we can help and give hope to our injured racers.
Thanks as always for your continued support and for all you do to give
hope to our injured racers

Cards & Letters to Injured Racers is so Important
One of the great things about the Indy race is we generally get to see some injured racers from the past. It is always so heartwarming to get to visit with them and hear how they are doing. This year we had three racers stop by, Larry Sisk, Tom Brown and Ryan Gortney. When we work the booth or talked to the injured racers on the phone, we get to hear how important DRAW is important to their recovery. But only a few of us are fortunate enough to experience these "warm and fuzzies." Below is a letter from one of our current injured racers Andrew Blanton along with some pictures he sent with the letter. Please keep this letter in mind and when you get your DRAWing attention newsletter each month to send a few cards and/or letters out.

Dearest DRAW, 

Hi! I wanted to say hi and thank you to some of the friends that have kept in touch with me from DRAW. Constance Smith, Judy and Bill Leahey, Ray and Millie Martel have sent some very nice letters and they have made the most recent past a lot better. Please thank each of them for me and try to explain how much good happens from a single handwritten "hello". I have added some pictures of myself, Annika my daughter (sounds like Onikuh) and Kara my girlfriend. Thank you again from care and support.  The people at DRAW make my daily life a lot better!!!

Warm Regards
Andrew Blanton
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Drag Racing Association of Women Clarification

Due to a recent situation, the board members of the DRAW feel the need to clarify an 
item from the organizations Bylaws. 

Racers receiving aid from the Drag Racing Association of Women can not return to 
driving or riding a race vehicle and continue to receive aid from DRAW.

The thought being is that racer aid is there if you are not able to work or participate in normal life activities and have doctors orders that say so. If you are capable of 
operating any racing vehicle, then you should be capable of working or participating 
in normal life activities and will no longer receive aid from the Drag Racing 
Association of Women.

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Take just a little time to be prepared
I recently was slightly involved in something that made me want to write a little story
about being prepared for the worst. In this day and age, anyone that is 18 years or 
older should at least have a Power of Attorney in place and if you have a spouse, dependents or loved ones that depend on you make a Will. If you were to pass away tomorrow is everything in place to take care of the people you want to get taken care 
of? If you do not at least have a POA then you risk having everything tied up in court, sometimes for years, while the State tries to determine who should get your assets. 
Sit down with a lawyer and get a POA made up and put on file so if something does 
happen, your family and loved ones are not stuck trying to obtain what is supposed 
to be rightfully theirs.

Chris Hardesty
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Committee and Volunteer Opportunities for 2023
In 2023, DRAW will mark its 38th year of providing "Fast Help for Fast Friends." It takes the time and talent of many people
to make our mission a reality. There are many ways you can help make 2021 DRAW's best year ever.

DRAW's lifeblood is dedicated volunteers. You can make a valuable contribution to DRAW by joining one of our committees: Website, Newsletter, Membership, Fundraising, Injured Racer Calling, and others that might arise during the year.
If you are interested in volunteering or joining one of DRAW's committees, please submit an application to Rosalee Noble,
4 Hance Dr., Charleston Ill. 61920 Email: rnoble@consolidated.com