TALLADEGA — The Delaney family, Michael, Susanne and their 4-year-old son, Jonah, made their way to Riverside Sept. 1 in an effort to escape the wrath of Hurricane Katrina.They still have no idea about the condition of their home, their jobs are lost and most of their belongings are "floating" in their house in New Orleans.
But thanks to organizations like the American Red Cross and the Talladega Superspeedway, the Delaneys are getting what they need.
Apart from spearheading an effort by the International Speedway Corporation to raise $1 million for hurricane relief, TSS stepped up Tuesday by donating $100,000 to the Talladega County Chapter of the American Red Cross and by providing a hot meal to evacuees like the Delaneys staying in Talladega, Calhoun and St. Clair counties.
"This is an opportunity that has presented itself to help people," said Rick Humphrey, TSS vice president and general manager. "In times like this, it’s fortunate to work for a company that’s allowing us to do this. … These people have some tough days and long roads ahead of them."
As families scattered throughout the Motorsports Hall of Fame, enjoying plates of hot barbecue and baked beans from Glory Days Restaurant in Pell City, Humphrey and TSS president Grant Lynch met with many displaced family members who shared their stories of loss.
But despite the impending heartache many will continue to feel for months, most families said they were "thankful" for organizations like the Red Cross and people throughout Talladega and St. Clair counties who have stepped up to help.
"It’s overwhelming," said Susanne Delaney, whose family, including her brother, Jojo Mitchell, is staying at Riverside Baptist Church. "These people around here, I’ve never met people so kind in my life.
"… We were very fortunate to be able to get away, unlike most people who couldn’t. … We’re not hungry, we’re not thirsty and we’re not hot."
Apart from contributions to the Red Cross and a free meal on Tuesday, TSS has played host to a number of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
Americrown Service Corporation, a Daytona Beach, Fla.-based subsidiary of International Speedway Corporation, answered a call from Lynch by sending two kitchen convoys to Theodore, Ala., this weekend.
Two tractor-trailers, one full of food and one acting as a kitchen, and six staff members accompanying the fleet will provide 250 to 500 meals a day to Alabama Department of Public Safety and Georgia State Patrol officials on site to help with relief efforts.
"It has been very difficult for people to adequately describe the devastation caused by this storm to the people of this region," Lynch said in a TSS press release. "It has left thousands of people — our neighbors — without the most basic of human needs like water, food and shelter and we just want to do what we can to help ease their burden."
Beginning next race, ISC will also ask NASCAR fans for donations at all of its tracks, including the Talladega speedway.
With all the devastation left over from Hurricane Katrina, the much-needed donations for food, shelter and clothing will most definitely help.
"International Speedway Corporation and specifically Talladega Superspeedway, we can’t replace what you’ve lost and what you’ve suffered," Lynch said Tuesday. "We can only be here today to feed you and nourish you."
For families like the Delaneys, it’s more than enough.
