Local children in need received a major boost Tuesday night as the Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities distributed $335,000 in grants to 45 local groups at its annual Tree Lighting and Grant Distribution Ceremony in the LocaliQ Digital Center at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
            Hundreds of children took part in Tuesday night’s event which included a visit by Santa Claus in a Maverick helicopter! Each child received a toy that was provided by Harsch Management Properties and COACH South Premium Outlet. Levy Restaurants donated and served meals to all guests.  
              Despite limitations from the Covid-19 pandemic, SCC had a banner year in fundraising. Among the events that contributed to this year’s grants were Glittering Lights, Laps For Charity, assorted fundraisers during major event weekends and the annual golf tournament. Participants in SCC’s PJ 5K Run & 1-Mile Walk thru Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway collected 297 new children’s pajamas that SCC donated to local children’s hospitals and charities. 
            Since the Las Vegas Chapter’s charter in 1999, more than $7 million has been donated to children’s organizations in Southern Nevada.           
            The following groups received grants at Tuesday night’s ceremony: Assistance League of Las Vegas, Baby’s Bounty, Candlelight Childhood Cancer Foundation, CASA Foundation, Chefs for Kids, Children’s Heart Foundation, El-Shaddai Refuge Homes, Epicurean Charitable Foundation, Eye Care for Kids Nevada Chapter, FACT of Southern Nevada, TeenPact Leadership Schools, Foster Kinship, Foundation for Positively Kids, Goodie Two Shoes, HELP of Southern Nevada, Helping Hands of Las Vegas Valley, HopeLink, Junior Achievement, Las Vegas Natural History Museum, Lighthouse Charities, Make-A-Wish, Miracle Flights, Nevada Ballet Theatre, Blind Children’s Foundation, Nevada Chapter of National Hemophilia Foundation, Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation, Nevada Diabetes Association for Children and Adults, Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, Olive Crest, Positively Arts, Ronald McDonald House of Greater Las Vegas, Rotary of Las Vegas, S.A.F.E. House, Serving Our Kids, Somerset Academy, Southern Nevada Home School for Performing Arts, Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth, Spread the Word Nevada, St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, Just One Project, Lullaby Collection, Police Athletic League, Three Square, Little Lucy’s Child Care.