The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer has scheduled an Open House on Friday, June 2 for young cancer patients and their families, to facilitate a second “build-out” of Pinewood Derby miniature race cars for the 10th Annual SEMA Pinewood Derby set for July 28 at the Fairplex Conference Center in Pomona, California.
The Open House – scheduled for 8 a.m.-4 p.m. – will be held at the foundation’s Hatch’s House of Hope, 979 East 3rd Street, Suite C-232 in the Erlanger Medical Mall in downtown Chattanooga. Participants at the build-out will be children and their families who have been involved from the Austin Hatcher Foundation’s various programs and services that are provided at no cost. An initial Pinewood Derby build-out was held this past Saturday. In addition to building and painting of the Pinewood Derby cars, there will be other racing-related activities at the Open House.
The Pinewood Derby cars were recently sent to the foundation by Pleasanton, California-based SEMA (Specialty Equipment Marketing Association); they will be returned after the build-out and sponsored by competitors at the 10th annual derby, with proceeds benefiting the “SEMA Cares” Family of Charities. The foundation will likewise benefit, as it is a member of that family.
The derby is part of the annual SEMA Installation Gala which honors SEMA Hall of Fame inductees along withincoming/outgoing members of the SEMA board. SEMA members can race in three classes: Build It For Me (BIFM), Stock and Unlimited. Members can either sponsor child-built cars and trucks in the Build It For Me (BIFM) or Stock Class, or they can build and enter their own SEMA-supplied stock car or truck. Stock-Class racing usually has the most entries with a typical speed of 3.2 seconds on a 50-ft. track.
“We are hoping for a huge turnout at our second round of prepping the Pinewood Derby cars for the SEMA,” said foundation President Amy Jo Osborn. “We have scheduled a full day of activities for the children to enjoy. It will be fun. It will be impactful. We truly enjoy bringing everyone together in a welcoming, caring environment.”