NATIONAL SPRINT CAR MUSEUM’S BENEVOLENT FUND

 by: Tom Schmeh

            Knoxville, IA (Feb. 8, 2006)  -  Sandy Parsons memorial contributions may be directed towards the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum’s newly established National Sprint Car Benevolent Fund, according to Sandy’s husband Lonny Parsons and museum executive director Tom Schmeh.  Sandra Estes Parsons, a long-time sprint car and horse racing fan, passed away on February 7 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines.  Said Lonny tonight, who owns the Casey’s General Stores #6 sprint car, “Sandy would have wanted this; she loved sprint cars and she loved helping others.”

            The National Sprint Car Benevolent Fund is a newly established segregated fund of the 501(c)(3) non-profit National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum Foundation, Inc., which was incorporated in the state of Iowa in 1986.  According to Schmeh, “Those familiar with the twenty-year history of the foundation know that a national benevolent fund, administered under the umbrella of the museum’s overall organization, has been a goal since day one.  Following the success of our Complete the Dream capital campaign in the 1990’s and the establishment of our own endowment fund in 2002, the foundation’s board of directors approved the establishment of the 'National Sprint Car Benevolent Fund' in late 2005.  We are truly appreciative of the Parsons family for thinking of us, and the future well being of sprint car racing participants, at this time.”

Sandy Parsons memorial contributions will be put alongside those contributions previously earmarked for the benevolent fund from the late Kevin Gobrecht’s family, who have long shared the museum’s vision of an independent national benevolent fund for the entire sport of sprint car racing.

            Sandy was born on April 19, 1944 in Des Moines to Edward Estes and Carmaleta Oliver.  She loved sprint car racing, horse racing, crafts, and home decorating.  Sandy is survived by her husband, Lonny; and children Troy, Tray, and Todd.  Visitation will be held from 4 until 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 9, at Merle Hay Funeral Home in Des Moines.  Memorial contributions may be made to “National Sprint Car Benevolent Fund”, c/o NSCHoF&M Foundation, P.O. Box 542, Knoxville, Iowa, 50138.