MOORESVILLE, N.C. (April 21, 2017) – Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a strong proponent of literacy to help improve education and the lives of children, and he’s not shy about letting people know that it is the key to a better life for everyone.
This morning, the 14-time NASCAR Most Popular Driver and founder of The Dale Jr. Foundation visited Blountville (Tenn.) Elementary School on behalf of longtime JR Motorsports sponsor Unilever and its partnership with Dollar General, helping the company deliver its educational message...and a $50,000 donation. The money will help the school purchase books, computers and other educational supplies to enhance its reading and literacy programs.
“It is very important to me to be a part of this program and help provide these students with all of the tools necessary to improve their education and to help them become more confident,” said Earnhardt Jr., who has won 26 NASCAR Cup Series events in his career. “It is an honor to be part of the celebration today with the students and staff at Blountville Elementary School.”
Unilever, maker of such consumer-packaged goods products as Suave® Men personal care products, Hellmann’s Mayonnaise and Breyer’s Ice Cream, is the longest-tenured sponsor partner at JR Motorsports, Earnhardt Jr.’s racing team and company, and a huge supporter of Tennessee-based Dollar General, which along with Suave provided the $50,000 check inside a box that was opened in front of curious students and administrators. The donation comes from Dollar General’s Reading Revolution program. The program has donated more than $2.3 million to more than 50 schools since its inception in 2013.
Blountville Elementary School, some five miles northwest of Bristol Motor Speedway, was chosen for the donation because of the strong community contributions to the Dollar General Literacy Foundation through the Cash Cube program available in stores, particularly at store #3504 located at 1990 Highway 394 in Blountville.
“Dollar General is very passionate about its mission of Serving Others, and we are all excited to surprise Blountville Elementary School with a visit from longstanding literacy supporter Dale Earnhardt Jr. and a financial donation to further their reading and literacy programs,” said Denine Torr, Dollar General’s senior director of community initiatives. “We hope this donation will help equip the school with the tools and resources it needs to improve the learning experience for students.”