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Spirit of America will take place Sunday
BROOKLYN, Mich. (Sept. 7, 2011) – Michigan International Speedway remains committed to honoring the victims and heroes of 9-11 despite a work stoppage among union workers for the American Red Cross.
In the event the work stoppage continues into the weekend, MIS and the Great Lakes Region of the American Red Cross encourage those who signed up for appointments to still attend the event at their scheduled appointment time. There are many activities planned, all which honor the 10th anniversary of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
The Spirit of America has evolved into more than just a blood drive. It’s an event and a time of reflection. Should the strike end, the blood drive will take place as scheduled.
“We will have an event on Sunday,” Spirit of America organizer and MIS Director of Guest Services Tim Booth said. “Please don’t let a work stoppage keep you from coming to the speedway this weekend as there are a number of things on hand we are doing in honor of the 10th anniversary of 9-11.”
This year, all presenting donors who keep their scheduled appointment will receive a Spirit of America gift bag, Culver’s lunch in the Champions Club presented by CP Federal Credit Union, and a track tour, which features Unity Field and Home of the Brave, a 9-11 multi-media exhibit.
During the tour, donors will get an up-close view of more than 3,000 American flags proudly displayed at Unity Field to honor the victims of 9-11. The flags, representing victims of the 9-11 attacks, are placed in the speedway’s Lot 10 by veterans from local American Legion chapters.
With the 10th anniversary of 9-11, the Spirit of America will feature a special tribute throughout the weekend. From 9 p.m. through midnight Friday through Sunday, Unity Field will feature a single beam of light pointed straight to the sky in a tribute to the victims of 9-11. “Ray of Remembrance” will be visible from many of the surrounding communities of MIS and people are encouraged to visit the “Ray of Remembrance,” which will be proudly displayed in Unity Field.
Unity Field and the “Ray of Remembrance” tribute are free and open to the public.
Also, a bagpiper will play “Amazing Grace” throughout the MIS property throughout the morning at six Sept. 11 moments, starting at 8:48 a.m. when American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the World Trade Center North Tower.
Anyone may come to Unity Field. Only blood donors with scheduled appointments will receive a gift bag and lunch.
Since its inception in 2002, the Spirit of America Blood Drive has grown into one of the largest 9-11 blood drives in the nation with more than 1,300 pints of blood collected just last year. In the past nine years, more than 7,546 pints of blood have been collected at the Spirit of America drive, positively affecting more than 22,638 lives.
Sponsors of the ninth annual Spirit of America Blood Drive include: Allegra, Advance America, Americrown, Be The Match, Brooklyn-Irish Hills Chamber of Commerce, Chevy Trucks, C&L Sanitation, Coke, Culver’s, DDM Marketing & Communications, FOX 47, Gift of Life, Jackson Coffee Company, Jackson Community Ambulance, Kiwanis, Kohl’s, Michigan CAT, Prestige Promotional Products, Print Tech, Richard Petty Driving Experience and The Home Depot.
About the American Red Cross
The Great Lakes Region serves 65 counties, and needs to collect about 700 units of blood a day to meet patient needs in about 70 hospitals in the region. In addition to providing blood to our community, the American Red Cross also provides relief to victims of disaster, trains millions in lifesaving skills, serves as a communication link between U.S. military members and their families, and assists victims of international disasters or conflicts.
About Michigan International Speedway
Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is the Great Escape, a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can get away and enjoy the very best in racing and camaraderie. It’s the love of racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike.
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The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.
