Wednesday, May 21, 2003
IRL IndyCarTM Series owner-driver Michael Andretti made a $10,000 donation May 21 to Butler University through his foundation, funding the Indianapolis school's new Alcohol 101 PlusTM education program.
The donation was part of a $100,000 donation made by Andretti Green Racing sponsor Jim Beam Brands to the Michael Andretti Foundation earlier this month. The money from Jim Beam Brands will be used in 13 Indy Racing League race markets across the country to promote the company's "Drink Smart Campaign," which is featured on Andretti Green Racing rookie Dan Wheldon's car and his driving uniform.
"We're very excited about being able to donate our first check, and I think it's on a fitting day, Community Day at Indianapolis," Andretti said. "I want to give back to the community here, as well as others that we're going to do as the years go on."
Andretti will present a check to one local university on behalf of his foundation, Jim Beam Brands and the Century Council, a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to fighting drunk driving and underage drinking, in order to start an Alcohol 101 Plus Program, which is an interactive CD program geared towards helping college students make safe decisions about alcohol. The donation to Butler was the first of Andretti's donations.
"Thank you to Michael and the Century Council for it's continued effort to battle the misuse of alcohol, especially across college campuses across the country," said Levester Johnson, vice president of student affairs at Butler: "It's a honor and a privilege to be the first recipient of such a generous donation. This money will help us immediately, so our students can make better decisions - responsible decisions - on their way to being productive citizens."
Said Andretti: "We came up with the idea a few months ago to start a foundation, and it's so great to get the support from companies like Jim Beam and get their support, and we want to help support their causes."
Jim Beam serves as an associate sponsor on the Andretti Green Racing cars of Andretti, Dario Franchitti and Tony Kanaan and as the co-primary sponsor of the Andretti Green car driven by rookie Dan Wheldon.
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