Companies combine forces to raise funds for Hearts, Hands & Hope, Inc.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (August 1, 2023) – Axel and Associates, SCT, Bully Dog, and Daytona International Speedway have combined their talents and resources to raise money for Hearts, Hands, and Hope, Inc., as part of a large-scale fund-raising event called “Scooby Doo Goes Racing!”
“Scooby Doo Goes Racing!” is a widespread creative project geared towards promoting fundraising efforts by releasing four daily episodes online, with local children starring as the beloved Scooby gang, working to solve a mystery. In conjunction with the release of these episodes, individuals and local organizations will have an opportunity to donate to the mission of Hearts, Hands and Hope, with all proceeds going towards families in need.
“’Scooby Doo Goes Racing!’ makes the dream of being part of Mystery Inc. a reality for five young kids while drawing attention to the critical work Hearts, Hands and Hope Inc. does on a daily basis,” said David Axel, President and Founder of Axel and Associates. “Now more than ever, essential charities need help to keep delivering their critical services to the communities they serve.”
Hearts, Hands and Hope is a nonprofit organization that distributes food to thousands of food insecure children in both underserved and populated areas across Seminole County. The organization is looking to further their efforts and bring awareness to their cause through the multi-episode fundraising series. All proceeds will go directly to feed hungry children.
“Since the start of our Food Bag Program in 2016, we have delivered more than 1 million meals to local children and their families” said Michelle DeSmedt, Vice President for Hearts, Hands and Hope. “This is in an effort to solve their food insecurity issues permanently by using our 3-phase program. It is events like this that help drive donations, volunteers, and draw attention to our efforts, all of which allow us to keep helping our children and their families.”
“Scooby Doo Goes Racing!” is a classic mystery involving the young Scooby gang, hoping to unmask the villain behind the kidnapping of Daytona International Speedway President, Frank Kelleher. Across four episodes, the kids will work to save Frank while exploring the track, cars and history of The World Center of Racing.
“Daytona International Speedway and NASCAR are all about building lifetime memories across multiple generations and engaging our local communities through impactful partnerships,” said Kelleher. “The opportunity to help Hearts, Hands and Hope provide food security for hundreds of families in our community was something we embraced through this fun, entertaining and innovative platform.”
The one-of-a-kind Mystery Machine featured in the online series was constructed specifically for the fundraising event by Axel and Associates with the help of SCT and Bully Dog who specialize in ECU calibration across different types of vehicles. Both SCT and Bully Dog combined their expertise to help create a Mystery Machine that captures the essence of the Scooby gang’s classic vehicle.
“When we were approached about helping build the Mystery Machine, we jumped at the chance,” said Jill Hepp, Marketing Director for SCT and Bully Dog explains. “Our company is a leader in the car and truck performance industry, so we had the resources to get this done right and make it epic! We believe in giving back to the community and this was something our company and customers could really get behind.”
The Daytona Beach Police Department, The Daytona Beach Fire Department and the Daytona Beach Mayor’s Office, are also participating in the event by donating vehicles and resources, furthering the community’s involvement and desire to support those in need through this unique project.
“Scooby Doo Goes Racing!” will be released online as four daily episodes starting on Aug. 1. Anyone interested in making donations to this event, learning more about the event, Hearts, Hands and Hope, Inc., and the companies involved can visit www.hearts-hands-hope.org, www.SDGoesRacing.com or call 866-DAVIDAXEL.
About Axel & Associates
Axel and Associates is a business growth firm that uses the strategic and unique combination of sales, marketing, business, technological, and legal expertise to grow businesses to new heights. Axel and Associates charitable division, The Axel Foundation creates one-of-a-kind charity events designed to generate significant donations for the charities that provide critical support for their communities.
About Hearts, Hands and Hope Inc.
Hearts, Hands, and Hope (HHH) is a solution to the local food insecurity issue with its proven Three Phase System. The First Phase of this system is the Hearts, Hands, and Hope Food Bag Program which provides a bag of nutritious meals every week to children identified as food insecure. Phases Two and Three provides children and their families with resources, including access to health care, mental health services and job placement services, to move families from food insecurity to food security.
The Hearts, Hands, and Hope Food Bag Program has grown each year over the last 5 years and now delivers more than 140,000 meals a year to more than thirteen (13) locations across Seminole County. Hearts, Hands, and Hope provides support for the most vulnerable children in our community. There are 47,920 children across Seminole County who are food insecure. Hearts, Hands, and Hope provides food support services to children all over Seminole County and has more than doubled the distribution of the Food Bag Program
Hearts, Hands and Hope has seen a 23% increase in demand for the Food Bag Program and currently has a waiting list for its services
About SCT
SCT unlocks greater vehicle performance through ECU calibration, so your vehicle is better equipped to meet your specific needs. We’ve released performance calibrations for hundreds of vehicle makes and models from Ford, GM, and Dodge. Our calibrations are quickly and easily uploaded to the vehicle’s engine control module using our handheld programmer technology. By optimizing vehicle calibrations, SCT tuning unlocks greater vehicle horsepower, torque, and drivability. SCT aims to provide top-shelf performance when and where it’s needed most and to continue as the benchmark for aftermarket tuning solutions.
About Bully Dog
Bully Dog is at the forefront of performance ECU calibration technology for gas and diesel vehicles looking to add performance, tackle tough terrain, haul heavy payloads or tow trailers over long distances. Our calibration software platform adjusts key performance parameters to better respond to the unique demands you put on your vehicle, whether it’s adjusting for tire size, axle lockers, throttle sensitivity or shift firmness. Easy installation using one of our advanced handheld programmers means quick, out-of-the-box access to better performance, added safety, and improved fuel economy. Bully Dog also offers a precision-engineered, top-quality line of performance intakes, manifolds, and turbochargers to help vehicles run stronger and last longer.
About Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway is a state-of-the-art motorsports facility and was awarded the SportsBusiness Journal’s prestigious Sports Business Award for Sports Facility of the Year in 2016. Daytona International Speedway is the home of The Great American Race – the DAYTONA 500. Though the season-opening NASCAR Cup Series event garners most of the attention – as well as the largest audience in motorsports – the approximately 500-acre motorsports complex, also known as the World Center of Racing, boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe. Some of the exciting racing events include January’s Rolex 24 At DAYTONA and Roar Before The Rolex 24, February’s DAYTONA 500 and Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth, March’s Bike Week At DAYTONA Presented By Monster Energy, featuring DAYTONA Supercross and the DAYTONA 200, the August Coke Zero Sugar 400 weekend, and much more. The Speedway grounds are also used extensively for other events that include concerts (Welcome to Rockville, Heroes Honor Festival, etc.), sporting events (DAYTONA Soccer Fest, CLASH DAYTONA, etc.) civic and social gatherings, car shows, photo shoots, production vehicle testing and police motorcycle training.
