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In 1994, Assemblies of God Minister Hal Donaldson founded Convoy of Hope. The inspiration for its founding came from Donaldson’s childhood experience with tragedy and compassion ministry in action. On August 25, 1969, his parents, Harold and Betty Donaldson, were hit head-on by a drunk driver. Harold was killed; Betty survived but was immobile for some time, unable to work or cook. Their four children experienced firsthand what it is like to go without many of life’s basic necessities, like many families in the world today. The Donaldsons were more fortunate than others, however. People from local churches and the community provided them with food and shelter and gave them a sense of hope.

The Convoy of Hope began as a network of church-sponsored citywide outreach events that featured grocery give-aways, job fairs, and Gospel presentations. Today the Convoy of Hope is a nonprofit organization that provides disaster relief, supply lines and outreaches to the poor and disaster-stricken in the United States and around the world. During a Convoy of Hope outreach, free groceries are distributed, job and health fairs are organized and activities for children are provided.

In 2006, the organization assisted nearly 4 million people in the United States and around the globe with food, clothing, medical aid, and other needed resources through outreaches and disaster response.

To date it has distributed more than $100 million of food to needy families in the United States and around the world, provided food and supplies to nearly 16 million people, placed shelters, water purification units and other supplies, and responded to disasters and crises in nearly 50 countries.

The organization has grown from a small operation to having a 300,000-square-feet distribution center and a fleet of 18-wheeler semi-trucks, and has had more than 200,000 volunteers and 5,000 organizations to help worldwide.

For his great leadership in providing the resources to help people in need and the victims of disasters all around the world, Hal Donaldson and the Convoy of Hope will be honored as this week’s “Incredible Hero” at Kansas Speedway.

The “Incredible Heroes” are extended an invite to attend the NASCAR Nationwide Series race as guests of CJM Racing and the America’s Incredible Pizza Company. Each hero receives a plaque in recognition of his or her heroism and spends a VIP day at the race track.

- CJM Racing Press Release