Erica Enders to put spotlight on Shirley's Kids charity at Houston race

 HOUSTON (April 27) -- Shirley's Kids, the charity headed by legendary drag racer Shirley Muldowney, will adorn Erica Enders' Elite Motorsports/Mopar Dodge at the 29th annual NHRA SpringNationals this weekend at Royal Purple Raceway.

Shirley's Kids' mission is to lend a hand to children in need in the markets where drag racing has become a part of the community.

"Shirley's Kids has already impacted the lives of two amazing kids and their families, and I'm happy to carry its logo this weekend," Enders said. "Shirley did a lot for this sport, and she continues to help others through Shirley's Kids."

The Shirley's Kids-adorned Dodge is made possible through the generous contribution of Lupe Tortilla Mexican Restaurants. None of the money donated to Shirley's Kids goes to the sponsorship of Enders' race car, as Lupe Tortilla is providing all of the funding.

Lupe Tortilla has been voted the No. 1 Tex-Mex restaurant in Texas on numerous occasions, with locations across Houston as well as San Antonio, Austin, Beaumont, Katy, and College Station.

"Stan and Sheila Holt have done so much for Shirley's Kids," Muldowney said. "I can't thank them enough for helping the kids at the races we go to, and now to see Shirley's Kids on Erica's car is icing on the cake. They are trying their best to help us spread the word so we can help more children."

Muldowney is slated to attend several NHRA national events in 2016 as Shirley's Kids continues to help children in need. The next race on her schedule is this weekend in Houston. She also will attend races in Atlanta, Englishtown, Bristol, Denver, Indy, the second Charlotte event, Dallas, Las Vegas, and Pomona, as well as the Jr. Drag Racing Western Conference Finals in Tulsa, Okla.

For more information, visit www.ShirleysKids.org.

Shirley's Kids is a 501(c)3 non-profit charity created to help children in need. Because its namesake, four-time world champion Shirley Muldowney, has lived her life in drag racing, the organization first seeks out deserving children within the drag racing community. Recipients may be struggling with medical issues or financial hardships brought on by a personal or family tragedy. Because of corporate support, 100 percent of all proceeds raised go directly to the designated children.

Shirley's Kids, the charity headed by legendary drag racer Shirley Muldowney, will adorn Erica Enders' Elite Motorsports/Mopar Dodge at the NHRA SpringNationals this weekend in Houston.

Please visit Muldowney.com and GeigerMediaGlobal.com for more information.

Shirley's Kids provides 'awesome' day in Charlotte for 6-year-old Kevin Bean

CHARLOTTE (April 26) -- Shirley's Kids, the charity headed by NHRA legend Shirley Muldowney, had another successful weekend in its quest to lend a hand to children in need in the markets where drag racing has become a part of the community.

Muldowney welcomed 6-year-old Kevin Bean and his family to the seventh annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals presented by Lowes Foods on Sunday at zMax Dragway. Through a donation underwritten by Stan and Sheila Holt of Lupe Tortilla Mexican Restaurant, Shirley's Kids presented Kevin and his family a $5,000 check to help with medical expenses related to Kevin's recovery from brain cancer.

Plus, the lovable and precocious Kevin was given VIP treatment throughout the day.

"Kevin called it 'que padre,' which means 'biggest thing ever,' " his father, Jim Bean, said. "It was a complete day of shock. It will probably take a week to come down from that, a month to absorb it all, probably a year to understand it, and a whole lifetime to remember. It was quite amazing."

During driver introductions before Sunday's eliminations, Kevin was brought on stage with Muldowney, who told a crowd of 50,000 people all about Shirley's Kids. Kevin and his family were then surprised with a $5,000 check from the charity, with Muldowney telling her new friend to "take some of this and go to Toys 'R' Us and have a ball."

Kevin was a hit with the many NHRA drivers he met during the day, as he and his family spent a lot of time in the track's pit area.

"It was pretty awesome," Jim Bean said. "The racetrack, the drivers, the staff, everything. It was completely incredible. Everyone invited us in, and it was like there weren't any strangers. Jack Beckman even let Kevin help him pack his parachute, and Kevin got to play in the track's play area. It was all so awesome.

"This was probably the most excited I've ever seen him. We've been a lot of places and have seen a lot of things, but he just couldn't get over how awesome the whole deal was. It was so special."

Muldowney is slated to attend several NHRA national events in 2016 as Shirley's Kids continues to help children in need. The next race on her schedule is this weekend in Houston. She also will attend races in Atlanta, Englishtown, Bristol, Denver, Indy, the second Charlotte event, Dallas, Las Vegas, and Pomona, as well as the Jr. Drag Racing Western Conference Finals in Tulsa, Okla.

For more information or to help support the cause, visit ShirleysKids.org.

Shirley's Kids is a 501(c)3 non-profit charity created to help children in need. Because the charity's namesake, four-time world champion Shirley Muldowney, has lived her life in drag racing, the organization first seeks out deserving children within the drag racing community. Recipients may be struggling with medical issues or financial hardships brought on by a personal or family tragedy. Because of corporate support, Shirley's Kids proudly declares that 100 percent of all proceeds raised go directly to the designated children.

"I was really impressed with Shirley and her team," Bean said. "Nicci (Gustavus), Rob (Geiger), and Frank (Bellini) made Kevin's day. And I also can't wait to thank Stan and Sheila Holt in person one day. They are Kevin's angels."

Shirley Muldowney welcomed Kevin Bean and his family to the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals presented by Lowes Foods on Sunday at zMax Dragway. Shirley's Kids presented them with a $5,000 check to help with medical expenses related to Kevin's recovery from brain cancer.

Please visit ShirleysKids.org, Muldowney.com, and GeigerMediaGlobal.com for more information.

Shirley Muldowney kicks off Shirley's Kids charity by helping Florida boy

HOUSTON (April 12) -- Shirley's Kids, the non-profit created to help children in need at various NHRA markets, kicked off its 2016 efforts in a big way at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals.

Headed by drag racing legend Shirley Muldowney, Shirley's Kids aims to help children in need at each race Muldowney attends. Thanks to support from Stan and Sheila Holt, Amalie Motor Oil, and the entire drag racing community, a $5,000 check was presented to the Rossman family of Orlando, Fla., to help with their 12-year-old son, Jaeden, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis in 2007.

"We believe Shirley's Kids gave an experience to Jaeden that was once in a lifetime," said Aleigha Rossman, Jaeden's mother. "We are extremely thankful for everything they did for us. It was a total surprise. Shirley's Kids is amazing!

"Jaeden is doing well keeping on his medicines and exercising daily. He is currently participating in a clinical trial to help with cystic fibrosis. He definitely is looking forward to his next drag race."

Jaeden and his parents, Khris and Aleigha, were guests of Muldowney and Shirley's Kids in Gainesville, getting a behind-the-scenes look at NHRA drag racing.

"It was a great weekend," Muldowney said. "It's always fun to go to Gainesville, and it was especially good this time because of little Jaeden and his family. We started Shirley's Kids to help children in need who are connected to drag racing, and Jaeden and his family were perfect for us.

"We hope they had a good time, and we look forward to helping many more children through Shirley's Kids this year."

Muldowney is slated to attend several NHRA national events in 2016 as Shirley's Kids continues to help children in need. The next race on her schedule is next weekend at zMax Dragway in Charlotte. She also will attend races in Houston, Atlanta, Englishtown, Bristol, Denver, Indy, the second Charlotte event, Dallas, Las Vegas, and Pomona, as well as the Jr. Drag Racing Western Conference Finals in Tulsa, Okla.

Shirley's Kids presented a $5,000 check to the Rossman family at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals: from left, Aleigha and Khris Rossman, Shirley Muldowney, Jaeden Rossman, Amalie Motor Oil's Denny Madden, and Stan and Sheila Holt.

For more information, visit www.ShirleysKids.org.

Shirley's Kids is a 501(c)3 non-profit charity created to help children in need. Because our namesake, four-time world champion Shirley Muldowney, has lived her life in drag racing, our organization first seeks out deserving children within the drag racing community. Recipients may be struggling with medical issues or financial hardships brought on by a personal or family tragedy. Because of corporate support, we proudly declare that 100 percent of all proceeds raised go directly to the designated children.

Please visit ShirleysKids.org, Muldowney.com, and GeigerMediaGlobal.com for more information.