  |
 |
|
Spread the word! |
|
|
|
Our Mission The mission of the Sam Schmidt Foundation is to help individuals overcome spinal cord injuries and other debilitating illnesses by facilitating scientific research, medical treatment, rehabilitation and technology advances. The Foundation raises funds to improve quality of life and assure best possible outcomes by touching individual lives. Our Beginning SAM SCHMIDT FOUNDATION FORMED TO SUPPORT SPINAL CORD INJURIES; FIRST FUND-RAISERS SET FOR LAS VEGAS & INDIANAPOLIS The Sam Schmidt Foundation, a foundation named for Indy Racing League (IRL) driver Sam Schmidt, has been formed at Schmidt's request to help individuals overcome spinal cord injuries and other debilitating illnesses. Schmidt currently is recovering from serious upper spine injuries suffered in a Jan. 6, 2000 accident while practicing for the season-opening Indy Racing League race at Walt Disney World Speedway in Orlando, FL. He is suffering from paralysis of the arms and legs, but has shown improvements in his neurologic function since starting an advanced rehabilitative program designed for him by Dr. John McDonald at the Neurorehabilitative Unit at the Washington University School of Medicine at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO. The mission of the Sam Schmidt Foundation is to help individuals overcome spinal cord injuries and other debilitating illnesses by facilitating scientific research, medical treatment, rehabilitation and technology advances. The Foundation raises funds to improve quality of life and assure best possible outcomes by touching individual lives. "Since my injury I have learned much about the tremendous needs of people suffering from spinal cord injuries," Schmidt said. "There are three areas on which I have asked the Schmidt Foundation to concentrate their fund-raising efforts to support. The first is research. Second, innovative equipment that can be used for rehabilitation. And, third, I want to help spinal cord injury patients who are caught in between public and private funding, and need help in paying for their rehabilitation." Jeff Jones, a long-time friend of Schmidt's, is chairman of the foundation's executive board. Jones is Vice President & Chief Financial Officer for CollabWare in Pasadena, CA. Other executive board members are: Ed Mattix, chief public relations officer for Sprint PCS in Kansas City, MO, president; Scott Cronk, vice president of business development for Treadway Racing in Indianapolis, secretary; and Marvin Schmidt, Sam's father, treasurer. The Sam Schmidt Foundation also has named several members to an advisory board, including: Fred Treadway, owner of Treadway Racing; two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Arie Luyendyk; Tom Kelley, owner of Kelley Racing and Kelley Automotive Group in Fort Wayne, IN; Ruthie Culbertson, public relations director for Treadway Racing; Kimberly Hobbs, manager of corporate sponsorships for Sprint Corporation in Kansas City; and Pat Rummerfield, injury prevention performance assessment coordinator at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. A separate organization, the Sam Schmidt Family Trust, also has been established. The Trust will raise funds and accept contributions for the direct support of Schmidt and his family. Anyone wishing to contribute to the Sam Schmidt Foundation or the Sam Schmidt Family Trust can send their checks to the Sam Schmidt Foundation, 411 Dorman Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202 The Executive Board has announced the first major fund-raising efforts on behalf of the Foundation. The first event will be held at the Orleans Casino, 4500 W. Tropicana Ave., in Las Vegas, NV, on April 20 from 6-10 p.m., just prior to the next Indy Racing League race at Las Vegas Motorspeedway. The casual, racing fan-oriented party will be held poolside at the Orleans and is open to everyone. Arie Luyendyk and several current IRL drivers are expected to attend. Cost is $10 per person and includes food and one free drink, along with a live band. Door prizes will be awarded and a raffle will be held to raise funds. The second event is scheduled for Monday, May 15 in Indianapolis, IN, at Morton's of Chicago restaurant, the Steakhouse, 41 E. Washington, Ave., from 6:30-10:30 p.m. Cost per person is $75 and guests will enjoy cocktails and a lavish strolling buffet supper. Luyendyk and many of the drivers participating in this year's Indianapolis 500 race are expected to attend, including: Robbie McGhee, Al Unser, jr., Jimmy Vasser and Juan Montoya. A silent auction will be held for numerous celebrity and sports collectible items.
|
|||
Foundation | Merchandise | Newsletter | Auction | Home |
