Monday, November 15, 2021

Treasurer Folwell, Charlotte Motor Speedway Put Speedway Children's Charities in Victory Lane More than $5,000 Given to Charity to Help Children

Charlotte, N.C.
Nov 15, 2021

The Department of State Treasurer (DST) and Charlotte Motor Speedway crossed the finish line as winners when they donated $5,398.83 to Speedway Children’s Charites during a ceremony today at Charlotte Motor Speedway (CMS).

Joining Treasurer Folwell at the event was Scott Cooper, senior vice president – communications for Charlotte Motor Speedway and Lisa Starnes, executive director of Speedway Children’s Charities. The money that was presented to CMS and subsequently given to Speedway Children’s Charities, was held by the Department of State Treasurer’s NCCash.com. UPD identified money in the Unclaimed Property Fund that belonged to CMS. Recognizing that there are many children in need as the holidays approach, CMS chose to accept the money and pass it on to Speedway Children’s Charities.

“As a motocross racer, I’ve been passionate about racing – including NASCAR – for more than 50 years,” Treasurer Folwell said. “But I’m even more passionate about finding unclaimed money for organizations like Charlotte Motor Speedway and Speedway Children’s Charities. The work that they do for children’s charities across the country is amazing. I hope this money will make children’s dreams come true this holiday season.”

Speedway Children’s Charities provides funding for hundreds of nonprofit organizations throughout the nation that meet the direct needs of children. The organization’s vision is that every child has the same opportunities no matter what obstacle they are facing.

“The money we raise this year for the Charlotte chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities will stay in this region to support children in critical need of food, shelter and clothing,” said Starnes. “It’s a blessing to receive this additional money from the Department of the State Treasurer and Charlotte Motor Speedway through the Unclaimed Property Fund. Our grant distribution ceremony is just weeks away and these funds will be welcome gifts to deserving charities and children this holiday season.”

In 2019, the eight nationwide chapters of Speedway Children's Charities collectively distributed more than $3 million in grants to more than 400 charitable organizations across the country, bringing the total funds distributed since 1982 to more than $58.3 million, and ensuring that many children in need are given the tools to build a healthy, better and brighter future.

“The staff, volunteers and trustees for Speedway Children’s Charities work so hard to raise money year-round at our Charlotte Motor Speedway events,” said Cooper. “Since the onset of the pandemic, fundraising has been challenging as many people have been naturally focused on their own personal challenges.

“We know there’s still such a significant need in our community,” Cooper added. “Charlotte Motor Speedway is honored to work with Treasurer Folwell to utilize nearly $5,400 from the Unclaimed Property Fund to help children through Speedway Children’s Charities. We would encourage any business or North Carolina resident to check NCCash.com to see if they have unclaimed funds that could benefit a deserving charity this Christmas.”

“We’re in the check delivery business,” said Treasurer Folwell. “Getting this money back to the rightful owners is very important to me. We always are looking for ways to make that happen.”

There is more than $900 million in UPD safekeeping awaiting return to its rightful owners. For the fiscal year to date, UPD has paid 44,616 claims totaling $31.2 million from NCCash. Part of that total has been distributed through the new NCCash Match program, a no-hassle, expedited system that eliminated paperwork processing.  

Members of the public can click on NCCash.com and enter their names, the names of family members or friends to learn if they are among the more than 18 million holders of unclaimed bank accounts, wages, utility deposits, insurance policy proceeds, stocks, bonds and contents of safe deposit boxes that have been abandoned and are stored in the UPD vaults.