02.16.09 - 10-Year Old From Illinois Donates More Than 200 Books
to Kyle Busch Foundation

“Thanks Lexie”

Lexie Ziolkowski proved that sometimes, age doesn’t matter.

Ziolkowski recently collected more than 200 books and donated them to the Kyle Busch Foundation, which supports children’s homes in Grand Rapids, Mich., Concord, N.C., Mesa, Ariz., Atlanta and in Busch’s hometown of Las Vegas.

Perhaps most impressive is that Ziolkowski is only 10 years old.

The Illinois native met Busch last year at a Slinger Super Late Model race and had her picture taken with him. An avid fan of Busch, Ziolkowski read on the website for Busch’s foundation that books for kids ages 5-18 were needed for the children’s homes.

Along with her family and friends, she gathered the books and had them shipped to Busch’s foundation headquarters in Concord, N.C., for distribution to the homes.

“It’s really cool what Lexie did for the foundation,” Busch said. “For someone who is only 10 years old to organize and execute a book drive that will help less-fortunate kids – some of which are her own age – is amazing. It says a lot about her heart and her family to put something like this together. I can’t thank her enough. We’ll make sure all the books she collected will be sent to the children’s homes and put to good use.”

The Kyle Busch Foundation traces its roots back to August 2006 when Busch was invited to visit the St. John’s Home near Grand Rapids, Michigan.  The children’s home provides housing and structure to children ages 6-18 that have been moved from their previous living situations for various reasons.

Kyle accepted the opportunity to meet and spend some time with the children living at St. John’s and it was a decision that would forever change him.

His experience provided him with valuable insight into how these extraordinary kids are working to overcome the challenges in their everyday lives.  Busch realized the things most people take for granted are the very things that these children need: A safe home where they are encouraged to learn and are taught the skills to achieve their dreams.

Shortly after his visit, Kyle made the decision to start the Kyle Busch Foundation to provide assistance to organizations like St. John’s and the children who live there.

With support from M&M’s, Busch’s primary Sprint Cup Series sponsor, as well as the NASCAR Foundation, the Kyle Busch Foundation have made significant donations to the children at the various homes and Busch has been able to spend much-cherished time with kids at homes in Mesa, Ariz, Atlanta, and Concord, N.C.

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