Kevin Harvick Foundation helps displaced families with Christmas shopping spree
The Kevin Harvick Foundation went above and beyond to help four children who were recently displaced by fire.
On Thursday, members of two families went on a four-minute shopping spree with Kevin Harvick Foundation co-founder Kevin Harvick at Ollie’s Bargain Outlet in Matthews, North Carolina, ensuring they still enjoyed some Christmas cheer during their difficult time.
“We started this event last year and the folks from Ollie’s were kind enough to loan us their store during shopping hours and bring some families in,” Harvick said following the event. “I think the biggest thing for us is to really try to help people who are in need of help”
“I’m fortunate to have a platform to be able to raise awareness,” Harvick added. “There’s a ton of families who are in this particular position. We’ve had a lot of people over the years that have been gracious enough to help us raise a bunch of money, and we’ve given it back to families like this. You name it, we try to do anything we can to enrich the lives of children around the country.”
Harvick found it tough to keep up with the children as they weaved through the aisles of the store.
“Oh, man. I broke out in a sweat,” said Harvick. “The shopping cart wheels were wobbling we were moving so fast.”
“Luckily, I had a lot of help with the fire department and several shopping carts following behind that we were able to keep stuffing things in the carts. Hopefully what we did will help these families get through Christmas and put a smile on their face.”
(Photo: Chase Wilhelm)
Also on-hand were Mark Butler, President and CEO of Ollie’s Bargain Outlet and Capt. Sylvia Smith-Phifer, Charlotte Fire Department Chief.
Capt. Smith Phifer selected the families and also assisted them throughout the store during the shopping spree.
“The fire department was great to work with in finding a couple of families to have a shopping spree to pick up whatever they think they needed,” he said. “The kids did a great job.”
“The part that always makes me smile is they don’t go straight to the toy aisle, they go straight to what they need at home, and in the end we got some toys, too,” added Harvick. “I was happy to see some smiles on a couple of families’ faces that are in a pretty tough spot here before Christmas.”
Siblings from to different families participated in the four-minute holiday shopping blitz, including 10 and 12-year-old brother and sister along with seven and 15-year-old brother and sister, also joined by their family members.
Helping families in particular who’ve been displaced by fire also holds a special place in Harvick’s heart since four years ago, his home was also severely damaged by fire.
“DeLana and I went through having a house fire at the end of 2012 and really it changed our lives in a different direction that we were unexpectedly going to approach,” Harvick said. “I think when you see these families that have kids that are expecting to have a Christmas and are in a time of need, we felt like we needed to do an event. It’s a great event to give back to families who need it.”
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