NASCAR Star Donates Money To Muskogee Schools

By Craig Day, The News On 6

MUSKOGEE, OK -- Several schools are coming out big winners as a NASCAR star is shining bright on one Green Country town.

Not only is Jimmie Johnson burning up the NASCAR circuit, the four-time reigning sprint car champion is also building up education.

Johnson is donating big bucks to schools, including in his wife's hometown of Muskogee. 

The NASCAR driver's foundation awarded nearly $1 million to 26 schools in Johnson's hometowns in California and North Carolina, and his wife Chandra's hometown of Muskogee.

Pershing Elementary is one of five Muskogee schools getting grant money. The school will use $10,000 in grant money for a parent-teacher resource room.

"We're very excited, very appreciative and we're thrilled," said Vickie Albin, Pershing Elementary Principal.

Across town, Creek Elementary will use $31,000 to build a mission control building to tie in to an existing space shuttle classroom.

"It has revitalized our mission to increase our activities in both math and science with kind of a space mission theme," said Rick Hoos, Creek Elementary Principal.

Muskogee High School will get nearly $40,000 for a new foreign language lab and science equipment.

And the Johnson foundation also awarded $85,000 in grant money to build outdoor classrooms at two other Muskogee elementary schools.

Educators believe the generosity will have an impact on children for years to come.

"They sure didn't have to do that, but we're sure happy they focused on Muskogee and have given us this opportunity," said Rick Hoos.

"We have kids in this school right now that are going to be very successful adults and citizens and this is a great role model for them to see that they may be able to help someone someday," said Vickie Albin.

A role model proving he's a champion off the track as well.

The Tulsa School District is also getting $29,000 from Johnson's foundation, to pay for a mobile instructional-communication vehicle.