A Christmas Story

   The prospect three decades ago was yet another blue Christmas for some families in Richmond County, located in the Sandhills of North Carolina.

   They lived on the hardscrabble edge of poverty, with little money for even the necessities of life.  Toys and new clothes as gifts simply weren't possible.

   Benny Parsons was more painfully aware of the situation than most.

   Benny, the NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion in 1973, at that time lived in the little Richmond County town of Ellerbe, not far from N.C. Motor Speedway.  As president of the Parent-Teachers Association at Ellerbe School, he saw the destitution, and was saddened.

   For one Christmas, at least, Parsons was determined to do something about it. 

   Through friends and contacts in racing, Benny began raising money and collecting food, clothing and toys.

   Just before Christmas, the needy families were invited to the school for a dinner and holiday program.  The Wood Brothers, Glen and Leonard, even had a choir motor down to Ellerbe from their church in Stuart, Va., to sing carols.

   Benny and other drivers he had invited to take part handed out hams, turkeys and canned vegetables.  They also presented the kids with new coats and shoes.

   I vividly remember a lad of about 7 approaching Benny and tugging on the leg of his pants.

   "Mr. Benny," the little boy said, holding up a pair of new sneakers, "I sure like these shoes."

   "Well, Randall," replied Parsons, "when you get home and try them on, I hope they fit good."

   The kid's eyes widened and sparkled with joy.

   "Mr. Benny!" he exclaimed.  "You mean they're mine to keep?!"

   Parsons and other adults within earshot momentarily found it difficult to maintain composure.

   Among some NASCAR figures, a Christmas spirit similar to that at Ellerbe 30 years ago lives on.

   Once again, veteran driver Morgan Shepherd plans a pilgrimage to the mountains of Southwestern Virginia to assist those in need.

   Just this week Speedway Motorsports chief Bruton Smith presented a check for $505,728 to the Charlotte-area wing of Speedway Childrens Charities, a program he started in 1984 that now benefits 68 non-profit organizations.  Overall, Smith has raised $15 million to fund projects ranging from summer camps for kids with cancer to mentoring children who have a parent away from home in the Armed Services.

   And on Tuesday night (Dec. 13) the 16th Annual Stocks For Tots endeavor is scheduled at Lakeside Park in Mooresville, N.C., providing fans a chance to meet and get autographs from drivers and others involved in racing.

   As always, the price of admission is either a cash donation or contribution of a new, unwrapped toy.

   Don Miller of Penske Racing South founded "Tots" as a means of aiding abused and needy children. Through the years approximately $250,000 has been raised and 30,000 Christmas toys presented to kids in a five-county area of North Carolina.

   Stocks For Tots helps fund Stop Child Abuse Now, or SCAN.

   The program has proven increasingly popular among fans.  Approximately 5,000 attended in 2004, some standing outside for 16 hours in frigid weather for a chance to get the signature of Dale Earnhardt, Jr.  A few drove to Mooresville from as far away as Iowa and New Hampshire.

   All-star lineups of drivers, both past and present, are scheduled to participate this time.  Included are Bobby Allison, Matt Kenseth, Rex White and Rusty Wallace, all former champions of NASCAR's top series; and major race winners Buddy Baker, Ernie Irvan, Greg Biffle, Ken Schrader, Kurth and Kyle Busch, Morgan Shepherd and Ryan Newman.

   NASCAR Truck Series champion Ted Musgrave also will take part, along with drag racing stars Doug Herbert and Greg Anderson.

   A tip for fans planning to attend: Dress warm, for the lines likely will be long and you'll be outside much of the time.

   And be as generous as possible with your contributions of cash and toys.  Like Benny Parsons back in the '70s, you can make a needy kid's eyes sparkle with joy at Christmas.