¦ May 20, 2007
FOUNDATION IS RACING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Reprinted from the INDIANAPOLIS STAR

INDIANAPOLIS STAR
SUNDAY, MAY 20, 2007
By Susan Guyett

FOUNDATION IS RACING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Sam Schmidt told guests at the eighth annual Racing to Recovery gala Monday that donations to his foundation are making a difference.
“I’m more convinced now than ever that I’m going to walk someday and there are going to be thousands of people with me,” the former racecar driver said.
“It’s really just a matter of time and money.”
That’s just the message the audience of over 400 wanted to hear at the fundraiser at Eddie Merlot’s, 3645 E. 96th St.
Schmidt has used a wheelchair since he was paralyzed in 2000 during a testing accident in Florida.
He’s still in the thick of racing, though, and now owns Sam Schmidt Motorsports, which has 1996 Indy 500 winner Buddy Lazier at the wheel on May 27.
The gala has a number of signature details that guests have come to enjoy, including watching artist Bill Patterson create a one-of-a-kind work to be auctioned off before the evening is over.
As expected, there was a bidding battle over the colorful racing-themed work of art, and Patterson again agreed to deliver two in order to raise more money for the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation. Two bidders will pay $15,000 each for the paintings, according to Ida Cahill, the foundation’s president/CEO.
During the party, Schmidt presented four-time Indy 500 winner Al Unser Sr. with the Legendary Driver Award. The Partner for a Cure Award went to Al Speyer and Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC.