Founded by NASCAR driver Kyle Petty, Pattie Petty, and 2002 Winston Cup Champion Tony Stewart, the Victory Junction Gang Camp opened in June 2004 complete with a therapeutic equestrian center, an arts and crafts center, and cabins for the campers, all incorporating a race track theme.
Four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon runs his own charitable foundation and was on hand at the World Premiere of "Racing Stripes" to support Victory Junction Gang Camp and help spread the word on the important work done by Victory Junction Gang Camp and The Jeff Gordon Foundation:
INTERVIEW WITH JEFF GORDON:
How did your charity get hooked up with “Racing Stripes?”
I’m not exactly sure how the PR and marketing departments got together, but it’s a racing movie and even though it’s not car racing, it still has its similarities in that desire and will to win. We wanted to get involved with our foundation trying to just reach out there with more awareness of what we’re trying to do.
What is the goal of your foundation?
Its main goal is just kids, whether it be through The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, trying to find cures and treatments, and awareness of the signs of leukemia. And then I support a hospital that works with kids that have leukemia and lymphoma. Make a Wish is an organization that brings sick boys and girls to the race track or to certain places, and I support them. And then of course [this premiere] is for Victory Junction Gang Camp, which basically is a camp for these kids that are sick and are still needing treatments. But it’s all about trying to give these kids some kind of a normal life and get them healthy, or at least put one smile on their face one day. And that’s what I’m after anyway.
I’m sure there are hundreds of charities that would love to have your support. How did you select which charities to support?
Well, I started The Jeff Gordon Foundation several years ago and I said these are what our goals are. This is what we’re going to focus on, is kids and families that are in need [of help] with these diseases like leukemia and lymphoma. That’s why Victory Junction Gang Camp works so well because they facilitate the kids that we’re trying to help.
ADDITIONAL “RACING STRIPES” INTERVIEWS:
Hayden Panettiere / Frankie Muniz / Frederik Du Chau / Bruce Greenwood / Jeff Foxworthy / M. Emmet Walsh
