By Larry Boos
ROSSBURG, OH (Feb. 28) – Since 2009, Eldora Speedway has donated in excess of $18,000 to area school and community groups through a unique fund-raising project at the northern Darke (Ohio) County showcase for auto racing. That total will increase significantly this season due to additional opportunities being made available through an expansion of the project.
Combining fun and the opportunity to raise a lot of money in not a lot of time, the project involves an assemblage of group members in facility and grounds clean up during and following Eldora’s race event weekends. Typically a crew can complete their assigned task in less than two hours.
The success and popularity of the fund-raising project has prompted Eldora officials to make more dates available for area groups to generate funds for their treasury.
“This is a win-win situation, and something that Eldora Speedway takes great pride in offering,” commented Eldora’s Larry Boos, who spearheads the clean up operations. “We are fortunate to get the grounds cleaned in a shorter time period, the participants have a fun working environment and their group gets much needed money for their coffers.”
Ansonia Schools, through Superintendent Jim Atchley, was the first to accept the fund-raising opportunity through several of their booster groups. The popularity of the project has escalated to the point that Atchley now has a waiting list each year of school groups and class organizations that want to participate.
Over the years, other groups that have raised money include Auglaize-Mercer Family YMCA Waves, St. Denis Church Youth Group, Grand Lake International Association and the Mississinawa Music Boosters.
Eldora Speedway is inviting inquiries from groups looking to raise money. Details of available dates and complete information may be obtained by contacting Boos at (937) 338-6002 during normal business hours or by writing to LarryB@EldoraSpeedway.com.