The room was filled with holiday spirit on Thursday as New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu and Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig joined Speedway Children's Charities New Hampshire Chapter at its 10^th annual grant distribution ceremony at The Palace Theatre in Manchester, N.H. Grants were handed out to 55 local nonprofits totaling $75,190 in front of the festive backdrop from "A Christmas Carol."

"I couldn't be prouder of this team today," said David McGrath, executive vice president and general manager of New Hampshire Motor Speedway. "We all get caught up in the everyday hustle and bustle, but it's days like this that really show us what’s important and make you feel good."

Since its inception in 2009, New Hampshire Motor Speedway and SCC have distributed more than $1.7 million, supporting more than 749,000 children in the local community.

“I am just overwhelmed with joy,” said Hillarie Scott, director of Speedway Children’s Charities New Hampshire Chapter. “To see everyone from all of the organizations come together after another year of hard work and dedication from our board and volunteers is so heartwarming, knowing how many kids are being helped. It certainly makes it all worth it and the setting just really helped to put everyone in the holiday mood.”

Funds raised through the New Hampshire Chapter includes events such as a comedy show, the Dale Jr. Foundation Safe Kids 301, a motorcycle ride, Laps for Charity, Ricky Craven’s “One for the Kids” Golf Tournament, Champions Breakfast, the Wicked Good Live Auction, helicopter rides, Track Walk Presented by PPG, the Red Bucket Brigade by PPG, the Charity Clay Shoot, Full Throttle Fall Weekend, 24 Hours of Lemons, Yule Light Up The Night Run/Walk and Gift of Lights.

Both Craig and Sununu expressed how important it is to support the organizations, not only in Manchester and throughout New Hampshire, but across New England that work every day to improve the lives of children.

“During the season of giving, we’re coming together with many thanks to New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Speedway Children’s Charities,” said Craig. “The nonprofits here today are among many wonderful organizations in Manchester and throughout our state that truly make a difference in the lives of children in need. I am so proud to be here to recognize the outstanding work they do.”

“This event really defines not just what the season is all about, but what New Hampshire is all about,” said Sununu. “To be able to spend a little one-on-one time as opposed to just mailing a check really makes it special at this time of year. It was great to be here and great to be part of something that really brings out the best of everyone at this time of year.”

The New Hampshire Chapter is one of eight chapters around the country, and combined, Speedway Children’s Charities raised more than $3 million nationally this year, bringing the total distributed to $55,300,000 since it was founded in 1982. The money raised comes in large part thanks to the fundraising efforts of Speedway Motorsports, Inc.’s eight facilities: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Kentucky Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Sonoma Raceway and Texas Motor Speedway.

Fundraising continues during the Gift of Lights presented by Eastern Propane and Oil, where a portion of all proceeds benefits SCC. Yule Light Up The Night, a 2.1-mile run with Millennium Running, will give visitors a unique view of the lights on Dec. 9 and will also benefit SCCNH (Gift of Lights will have a delayed opening for the run). The 2.5-mile drive-thru light show is open 4:30 - 9:00 p.m., and admission is $20.00 per car through Dec. 14 and $25.00 per car Dec. 15 - Dec. 31. Be sure to check the schedule for days of operation when planning your trip.

About Speedway Children’s Charities (SCC)
The mission of Speedway Children’s Charities is to care for children with educational, financial, social and medical needs to help them lead productive lives. Founded by Bruton Smith in 1982, Speedway Children’s Charities is a non-profit 501c (3) organization providing funding for hundreds of non-profit organizations that meet the direct needs of children. The New Hampshire Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities was officially established in 2009. Since then, the New Hampshire Motor Speedway Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities has raised more than $1.7 million. The goal is to ensure that every child in need be given the tools to build a better, brighter and healthier future. For more information, visit www.SpeedwayCharities.org. For more information about other upcoming events for Speedway Children’s Charities New Hampshire Chapter, call Hillarie Scott at (603) 513-5738 or visit SpeedwayCharities.org/NewHampshire/.

For ticket information for events at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, including the Gift of Lights, Nov. 23 - Dec. 31, visit the speedway website at www.NHMS.com or call Fan Relations at (603) 783-4931.

The 55 Nonprofits That Received Grants Today Include:

• New Hampshire
  • Belknap House
  • Best Buddies New Hampshire
  • Boys & Girls Club of Central New Hampshire
  • Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua
  • Capital Region Food Program
  • Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (CHaD)
  • Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth (CHaD) – Injury Prevention Center
  • Concord Family YMCA
  • Concord Hospital Trust
  • Cornucopia Project
  • Crisis Center of Central New Hampshire
  • David’s House
  • Easterseals New Hampshire
  • Future In Sight
  • Gateways Community Services
  • Girls at Work
  • Granite State Children’s Alliance – Belknap County
  • Granite State Children’s Alliance – Hillsborough County
  • Granite YMCA
  • Manchester Community Music School
  • Manchester Police Athletic League
  • The Mayhew Program
  • Monadnock Region Child Advocacy Center
  • New Hampshire Catholic Charities dba New Hampshire Food Bank
  • On Belay Inc.
  • Ossipee Children’s Fund
  • The Palace Theatre
  • Queen City Bicycle Collective
  • SHARE Fund, Inc.
  • Spaulding Youth Center
  • The Special Needs Support Center
  • Waypoint (formerly Child & Family Services of New Hampshire)
  • The Webster House
  • YMCA of Greater Nashua
• Connecticut
  • Almada Lodge – Times Farm Camp DBA The Channel 3 Kids Camp
• Maine
  • Camp Sunshine
  • The Cromwell Center for Disabilities Awareness
• Massachusetts
  • Boys & Girls Club of Greater Billerica
  • Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell
  • Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence
  • Boys & Girls Club of Metrowest
  • Circle Program
  • Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
  • Dream Day on Cape Cod Inc.
  • Dreams for Emily
  • Family Services of the Merrimack Valley
  • The Kennek Foundation (Trouble the Dog)
  • Lazarus House, Inc.
  • Merrimack Valley Food Bank, Inc.
  • The Sports Museum of New England
  • Thrive Support & Advocacy
• Rhode Island
  • Beat The Streets Providence
• Vermont
  • Boys & Girls Club of Brattleboro
  • Easterseals Vermont
  • Race to Read