Driver Harvick, foundation give kids good time at beach

July 02, 2010

By AUDREY PARENTE

DAYTONA BEACH -- A free red-and-white beach ball, complimentary sunglasses and no-cost T-shirts made Javon Shoots' second-ever beach visit on Thursday like Christmas in July. The fifth-grader was among dozens of Volusia/Flagler Boys & Girls Club children scooping up free stuff, playing volleyball with race-car drivers, enjoying free lunch and soaking up sun. The event, hosted by the Kevin Harvick Foundation, included free water and sweat towels given out at a tent near the Ocean Deck. Harvick rumbled up in his No. 33 race car, accepted a $50,000 check for his foundation from his race partner-sponsor Rheem, signed autographs and romped in the sand. "It's more than fun," said Javon, 10, of Deltona. He attends the Lake Helen Boys & Girls Club. "It's great. This is my second time at the beach and it's awesome." The playful event included less-than-serious volleyball, narrated by Sprint Cup driver Kenny Wallace. Harvick and his wife, DeLana, played on opposing sides. "Kevin Harvick is listening to the rules," Wallace announced to a cheering crowd. He added, "I've never seen that before," to which onlookers laughed.

Harvick said he was serious about providing fun for kids. "When I was growing, we didn't have a lot of money, but a supportive family," he said. "A lot of kids don't get to experience a lot of things. This gets them to do something different, something they normally don't do. It's great to be part of that." DeLana Harvick said Rheem's donation will help more children have those experiences. "That's going to go a long way as we travel across the country to other race markets," she said. "We can bring those kids out to have a good time as well." New Smyrna Beach fifth-grader Mason Coats, 10, who participated, said the club's mission isn't just about fun, but also to "enable all young people...to reach their full potential." The club's chief professional officer, Joe Sullivan, said more than 430 children attend daily and 1,916 children participated in nine Volusia and Flagler county clubs during 2009. "We only exist because we can build partnerships like this to do new, fun, different and exciting things," Sullivan said. Lake Helen Boys & Girls Club volunteer monitor Rebecca White, 13, thought Harvick's event offered a lot for those kids who might otherwise be "hanging out and probably playing video games." The event drew beachgoers who eyed Harvick's car, like Orlando visitor Connie Cooper with children Keaton, 6, Katelyn, 10, and Kaleigh, 11. "It was really cool," Kaleigh said. "We all wanted to see inside. It had one seat and looked like a bicycle with a big thingy."

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