IMS Announces Military "Wish Fund"

Wish For Our Heroes (W4OH), the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Indiana National Guard are teaming to provide fans with an opportunity to help send active United States military or veterans to the Indianapolis 500, Super Weekend at the Brickyard or Red Bull Indianapolis GP in 2012. 

The "Wish Fund" program gives fans three ways to salute American service members through contributions or donations at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/wish4ourheroes or www.wish4ourheroes.org: 

•Contribute funds: Contribute $5 or more toward the purchase of a 2012 IMS event ticket for an active-duty service member or veteran. 

•Purchase tickets: Purchase a 2012 IMS event ticket for an active-duty service member or veteran. 

•Donate tickets: Donate extra or unused 2012 IMS event tickets to an active-duty service member or veteran.

Wish For Our Heroes, a national, non-profit organization based in Noblesville, Ind., will coordinate purchase and delivery of all tickets to service members and veterans. 

"Everyone at IMS is grateful for the service and sacrifice of the U.S. military, and we're proud of our deep, long-standing bonds with our troops," said Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation president and chief executive officer. "This program with Wish For Our Heroes will give fans a great opportunity to provide a memorable, fun day at the track for those who do so much to protect and provide our way of life." 

Fans who donate the purchase price of a ticket to the "Wish Fund" can designate the service branch and service status (active, reserves, National Guard, veteran, wounded veteran) of the ticket recipient. "Wish Fund" contributors who donate tickets or the purchase price of a ticket also can receive a picture of the military recipient and learn more about their dedicated service to the country. 

"It is our honor and privilege to partner with IMS and the Indiana National Guard, two fine organizations deeply rooted in tradition and Indiana pride," said Jeff Wells, Wish For Our Heroes president and founder. "Our mission is to serve those who serve and to assist as many military members as possible. With this program, we're going to provide an experience that our troops will never forget." 

Wish For Our Heroes was launched in November 2009 to grant wishes for active-duty soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and their families and is a tax-exempt charity under Code Section 501(c)(3). W4OH strives to relieve the burdens of family separation, reintegration for deployed soldiers, hardship circumstances and other means of assistance not covered by existing military charities.