Iowa Speedway contributes more than $13,000 to Iowa schools

NEWTON - Iowa Speedway has given more than $13,000 to 23 Iowa schools for various projects through Donorschoose.org, which is described a "philanthropic partner" with U.S. Cellular. One of the track's NASCAR Nationwide Series is the U.S. Cellular 250, which is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 6.

Among those schools who benefitted from the donations were Taylor Elementary in Cedar Rapids and Excelsior Middle School in Marion. Taylor was one of the school's heavily effected by the 2008 flooding of the Cedar River. It was shut down temporarily due to flood-related damage but has since re-opened.

Below is the news release from Iowa Speedway:

IOWA SPEEDWAY DONATES THOUSANDS TO 23 IOWA SCHOOL PROJECTS THROUGH DONORSCHOOSE.ORG

NEWTON, Ia. (Feb. 28, 2011) -- What do books, cameras and jump ropes have in common?

Students of all ages across Iowa need more of them – and Iowa Speedway has stepped in to help through DonorsChoose.org, which is U.S. Cellular's philanthropic partner.

Iowa Speedway used money raised from last year's Rusty's Roast of Richard Childress to solely or jointly fund 23 education projects that supported 4,712 students in school districts ranging from Council Bluffs to Dubuque.

Rusty's Roast, which was held during the July 30-31 U.S. Cellular 250 race weekend, generated more than $13,000 for charity. Musco Lighting and the NASCAR Foundation presented the event, along with Iowa Speedway.

Funds were allocated to 22 Iowa schools, including those in nearby Baxter (classroom materials), hometown Newton (classroom materials), and neighboring Pella (a health and wellness project).

“We're thrilled to be able to help Iowa schools through DonorsChoose.org,” Iowa Speedway President Jerry Jauron said. “Education is very important to us at Iowa Speedway and we will continue to seek ways to assist students across the state.”

Funds also benefitted schools in Adel, Alleman, Boone, Cedar Rapids, Clarinda, Des Moines (two projects), Gilbert, Marion, Marshalltown, Oelwein, Osceola, Pleasant Hill, Sumner, Vinton, Waterloo, Waverly, and West Des Moines.

Below, please find a complete of in-state towns and schools Iowa Speedway helped through the program. Detailed information about each project can be found at DonorsChoose.org:

Adel, Adel-DeSoto-Minburn Middle School ($255, sole donor)

Alleman, North Polk Central Elementary School ($1,006, one of 10 donors)

Baxter, Baxter Community School ($293, one of four donors)

Boone, Boone High School ($835, one of three donors)

Cedar Rapids, Taylor Elementary School ($1,231, sole donor)

Clarinda, Garfield Elementary School ($671, sole donor)

Council Bluffs, Edison Elementary School ($550, sole donor)

Des Moines, Madison Elementary School ($912, one of four donors)

Des Moines, Madison Elementary School ($710, one of four donors)

Dubuque, John F. Kennedy Elementary School ($729, one of six donors)

Gilbert, Gilbert Elementary School ($559, one of five donors)

Marion, Excelsior Middle School ($534, sole donor)

Marshalltown, Lenihan Intermediate School ($271, sole donor)

Newton, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School ($1,939, one of three donors)

Oelwein, Little Husky Learning Center ($295, one of two donors)

Osceola, Clarke Community Elementary School ($432, sole donor)

Pella, Lincoln Elementary School ($689, sole donor)

Pleasant Hill, Southeast Polk Junior High School ($960, one of two donors)

Sumner, Durant Elementary School ($826, sole donor)

Vinton, Vinton-Shellsburg High School ($693, one of three donors)

Waterloo, East High School ($348, sole donor)

Waverly, West Cedar Elementary School ($195, sole donor)

West Des Moines, Crossroads Park Elementary School ($384, one of 13 donors)