Karting for a Cause to Benefit Red Cross N.C. Tornado Relief Efforts

GARNER, NC, April 28, 2011 (Press-News.org) To help raise funds for American Red Cross tornado relief efforts in North Carolina, Rush Hour Karting will host a special fundraising event on Friday, May 20. As part of this "Karting for a Cause" effort, Rush Hour Karting will donate 100 percent of all net proceeds for the entire day to the American Red Cross.

Patrons are invited to take a spin on the unique European-style go karts, knowing they are benefitting a worthy cause. Representatives from the Red Cross will also be on hand to accept additional donations.

On April 16, a line of storms raced across North Carolina spawning 28 tornadoes that wreaked havoc across the state. At a press conference on April 20, Gov. Bev Perdue relayed the following statistics:
• 24 deaths (including four children in a trailer park in Raleigh)
• 133 injuries
• 439 homes confirmed destroyed
• 6,189 homes damaged (more than 5,000 reported in Wake County)
• 21 businesses destroyed
• 92 businesses damaged

Many of those figures are expected to rise over the coming weeks as the full impact of this disaster is assessed.

According to the Triangle Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, more than 260 Red Cross disaster workers and 25 emergency response vehicles have been deployed to the state to help those affected. On Monday, April 18, more than 170 residents spent the night in Red Cross shelters.

"There's no way we could witness all of the devastation in our area and surrounding communities and not respond," said Adam Saad, owner/operator of Rush Hour Karting. "We hope this 'Karting for a Cause' event will raise $10,000 or more for Red Cross tornado relief efforts. We had a good turnout for our Haiti earthquake event last year, but we want this to be our biggest fundraiser ever."

Rush Hour Karting is located in the White Oak Business Park at 5335 Raynor Road in Garner, and will be open from noon to midnight on May 20. The facility features a challenging one-third-mile track and both Jr. Karts for ages 8 to 15 and Adult Karts for ages 16 and up, so the whole family can participate.

For more information on Rush Hour Karting, call 919-662-9101 or visit http://www.rushhourkarting.com.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit http://www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.