NASCAR Champion Tony Stewart Volunteers As Spokesperson For Boys & Girls Clubs Of Greater Oxnard & Port Hueneme Raffle

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA, December 23, 2011 (Press-News.org) Three time and reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart has volunteered to help the Boys & Girls Clubs Million Dollar Raffle as its spokesperson and has donated a VIP NASCAR experience that includes a personal meet-and-greet with Stewart. The NASCAR prize will be given away in a new bonus drawing to be held in March.

In addition, two more drawings have been added, and the raffle ticket sales deadline has been extended to June 8, 2012, organizers announced today. All current tickets holders are entered into the new drawings and remain in the drawings on June 11, 2012 for the $1 million dollar prize and in the multi-ticket drawings for people who purchase more than one ticket at once.

"We're excited and grateful for Tony's endorsement. Our ticket sales need the boost, and our club needs the raffle revenue to meet the increase in demand for our programs that keep children safe and on the path for success in life," noted Dick Elzinga, chief volunteer officer of the Club.

Stewart's endorsement came about through Gene Haas, his partner in Stewart Haas Racing and an avid supporter of the Club. "They do incredible work, building the next generation of leaders. Their programs are needed more than ever to help build a strong society," said Haas, whose foundation has contributed nearly $1 million to the organization over the past several years.

Stewart also has an ongoing commitment to help children. "I'm very happy to support the raffle, especially during this time of great need. I encourage everyone to buy a ticket or two as an investment in the future of these very deserving kids."

Since the recession, Club membership has risen almost 60 percent and the raffle is needed to raise funds to help cover increased costs. "We provide essentially free programs to any child. We are a safety net for all families, but especially those in need. We are now serving nearly 9,000 members with professional staff and programs that ensure the kids do well in school, develop healthy habits and become caring, responsible adults," Elzinga said.

The first of the bonus drawings will be on March 15 for a VIP NASCAR experience that includes the personal meet-and-greet with Stewart, a Pit Pass and access to the VIP Suite for two people when Tony comes to California in 2012. The other two drawings will be for cash prizes.

The sales deadline for purchasing raffle tickets was extended to June 8, 2012 to allow more time for ticket sales. Unchanged is the maximum of 18,000 tickets that will be sold, and because three bonus drawings were added, participants have greater odds of winning a prize. Tickets are $150 each.

Cost to deliver Club programs is about $500 per child per year. However, per child membership in the club is only $15 per year so private contributions and fundraising are needed to make- up the difference. The Club serves children between the ages of 6 and 18 in three full-service facilities, and 15 other locations in partnership with a local school district, a public housing complex and a juvenile detention center. In addition, the Club will not turn away those kids whose families are unable to pay the $15 annual membership. Twice before the Club held successful raffles.

"Our organization has been around for more than 57 years, helping to put kids on the path to become successful, caring adults. This has been a huge undertaking for a mid-size nonprofit organization like ours, even more than the prior two raffles we conducted. The economy has impacted the pace of ticket sales, so we are exercising the option to extend the sales deadline to June 8, 2012," Elzinga said.

Details about the raffle, prizes, drawing dates and entry forms can be found at http://www.bgcop.org/winamil.

"This raffle gives hope to everyone who buys a ticket and to more than nearly 9,000 children who strive for a better future. Please encourage family, friends and colleagues to buy a ticket or three, and consider another ticket or two for yourself. Our goal is to build our capacity to help thousands of kids who need us the most to become responsible, caring adults. Your help with this raffle creates the ultimate win-win! Thank you for your support." Elzinga said in a letter to raffle ticket holders.

By involving parents, volunteers, educators and the business community, The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme helps youth reach their full potential through a positive environment, lifelong learning and programs dedicated to the arts, education, character and leadership development, health and recreation. Programs are based on physical, emotional, cultural and social needs, and are designed to expand participants' areas of interest. For more information, visit http://www.positiveplace4kids.org.