Evernham, a successful crew chief at NASCAR's highest level and a race team and race track owner accustomed to calling the shots and being in charge, is also a father with memories of his one-year-old son receiving treatment for leukemia and the comfort and support his family received through the Ronald McDonald House program.
Those personal memories, and a clear understanding of what the facility provides, fueled Evernham's actions earlier this week when he donated $1 million to the Ronald McDonald House in Charlotte.
Evernham, a Cornelius resident and owner/operator of Ray Evernham Enterprises in Mooresville, made the presentation at ceremonies held at the Charlotte location.
In addition to the donation, Evernham and his wife, Erin — tastefully attired for the occasion in mustard and ketchup costumes — hosted a trick-or-treat party for the families and patients currently staying at the house. Costumes for everyone, as well as plenty of candy and other treats for the children, were also provided as visitors and temporary residents were invited to treat-or-treat from room to room.
The Ronald McDonald House in Charlotte, at 1613 E. Morehead St., opened in May of this year. It is one of approximately 300 Ronald McDonald Houses worldwide designed to serve as homes away from home for families with children undergoing treatment at nearby medical facilities.
The houses allow families to stay together and enjoy meals and other activities while the children receive the prescribed treatments and care.
Fly-in event honors Jack Mangan
A weekend of fun will take off at Concord Regional Airport this weekend at the inaugural Celebration of Flight open house and fly-in to benefit Rotary International's Polio Plus program.
The event will kick off Saturday, Oct. 29, with a 5K run on the runway and airport grounds beginning at 7:30 a.m. Registration for the race is $30. Following the race, a fly-in breakfast will begin at 8:30 a.m. Cost of the breakfast is $4.
The event's opening ceremony, scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday, will include a tribute to local aviator Jack Mangan. Mangan, of Cornelius, was killed during an air show crash in Martinsburg, W.Va. in September. A life-long aviator and former Air Force fighter pilot, Mangan was a member of the Trojan Horsemen, a T-28 Warbird demonstration team. His wife, Kathleen, and children, Elizabeth and Sean, live in Cornelius and another daughter, Elizabeth, lives in San Francisco.
Free plane rides will be available both days at the EAA Young Eagles program, which has provided more than 1.6 million free flights in 90 countries since 1992. Youth planning to participate in the free Young Eagles flights should arrive early and must have a parent or legal guardian present to sign registration forms.
In addition to the flights, both days will also include aircraft fly-bys and static displays, NASCAR show cars and aircraft, kids activities, food and merchandise vendors.
Several types of aircraft will be on hand, ranging from George Lancaster's vintage A-26 Invader "Spirit of NC" to helicopters. Military aircraft will include a North Carolina Air National Guard C-130 Hercules cargo plane and N.C. National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter.
The celebration will be held rain or shine. Some activities, including Young Eagles flights, are weather permitting. Parking for the event is $5, but includes discount coupons for area restaurants. For more information, visit celebrationoffflight.aero and facebook.com/celebrationofflight. Concord Regional Airport is at 9000 Aviation Blvd., accessible from Poplar Tent Road and Concord Mills Boulevard.
Event to focus on immigration
Elected officials from Mooresville and Iredell County will be the featured speakers at a Stand Up North Carolina program next week in Mooresville. The free event will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3 at the Charles Mack Citizens Center, 215 North Main Street.
"Borders and Illegal Immigration" is the title of the presentation planned by Renee Griffith, a member of the Iredell County Board of Commissioners. Griffith travelled with activists to the Arizona border in July and spent a week with law enforcement officers in the Cochise and Tucson region, which has been described as "ground zero" for illegal aliens entering the United States.
Griffith filmed and produced a documentary that will accompany her presentation.
Also on the agenda for Thursday's meeting is a presentation on local issues by Chris Carney, Mooresville Town Board member and current mayor pro tem.
Church to host fall festival
Hopewell Baptist Church in Davidson will host a fall festival Sunday, Oct. 30 starting at 5:30 p.m. The event will include pony rides and hayrides as well as an assortment of games, prizes and treats — including candy, funnel cakes and more — for the entire family.
The church is at 18841 Davidson-Concord Road near the main entrance to the River Run neighborhood.
— Staff
