Easter Seals Disability Services

Easter Seals Volusia & Flagler Counties, Florida

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Local Teen Presented With Wheelchair During Speedweeks,

Wheelchair donation Mathew Milville Easter Seals client Mathew Milville was presented with a new wheelchair courtesy of the Darryl Gwynn Foundation during Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway. The 15-year-old Seabreeze High School student was recommended for the specialized equipment by Easter Seals Volusia Flagler physical therapist Ruth Freeman. The chair was presented as part of the Hot Rods & Reels charity fishing tournament at the Speedway’s Lake Lloyd on February 15. The event provides an opportunity for racing fans, racing celebrities and fishing enthusiasts to join forces while raising money for important causes.

"Mathew will be able to do so much more with this lift chair," said Freeman, Milville's physical therapist, "These are expensive chiars that he otherwise would not have had access to."

The 2nd Annual Miccosukee Resort & Gaming "Hot Rods & Reels™" charity fishing tournament was a huge success, generating more than $81,500 for the Darrell Gwynn Foundation. The annual event was held Friday, February 15^th at Lake Floyd, which is the 29-acre lake located at the Daytona 500 International Speedway's infield. Nineteen of NASCAR's top drivers came out to support DGF and Speediatrics. Along with their fans it proved to be a perfect day for outdoor sports enthusiasts: fishing for trophy bass, the opportunity to win The Miccosukee Million, and the ability to be part of an important cause.

With nearly 13.69 pounds of fish caught, NASCAR Sprint Cup Driver Travis Kvapil accompanied by guide Jason McKinney and participant Dennis Gabe were the big winners of the day. It was the first time Travis participated in the tournament and he and his team took home the trophy and bragging rights for largest total bass weight. Eleven year old Darius Matthews surprised the seasoned fishermen by capturing the largest fish, weighing in at 5.85 lbs, and then had the opportunity to draw for the Miccosukee Million, and while he did not collect the million dollar prize he did walk away with a $100 Bass Pro gift certificate and a one night stay at the Miccosukee Resort & Gaming Hotel.

The highlight of the event featured a wheelchair donation to 15 year old Matthew Miville, who suffers from a form of Muscular Dystrophy. The presentation took place that night during pre race at the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in front of more then 100,000 people.

The Darrell Gwynn Foundation (DGF) exists to prevent, provide for and ultimately cure spinal cord injuries and other debilitating illnesses. The foundation works to help improve the quality of life for those already afflicted with injury or illness, by providing necessary equipment or special services. To expedite specific cures, the foundation assists in the funding of targeted research. It is also dedicated to injury prevention, with special emphasis on programs targeting children. Visit the DGF online at http://www.darrellgwynnfoundation.org/

2007 Recipient: Brian Sundin

2007 recipient Brian Sundin (center) is all smiles as he is congratulated by (from left to right) Easter Seals Volusia & Flagler CEO Lynn Sinnot, Volusia County Chair Frank Bruno, and Daytona Beach Mayor Glenn Ritchey. Brian is a gifted student at Ormond Beach Middle School born with arthrogryposis, a congenital condition restricting joint movement. He was evaluated by Easter Seals therapist Patsy Klipfel.

News Release
February 2007

1^st ANNUAL MICCOSUKEE RESORT & GAMING "HOT RODS & REELS", CHARITY FISHING TOURNAMENT AT DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY SET FOR FEBRUARY 16^TH

PARTICIPATING NASCAR STARS & FANS HAVE CHANCE TO WIN "THE MICCOSUKEE MILLION"

DAYTONA, FL (February 2007) - Daytona's 1^st Annual Miccosukee Resort & Gaming "Hot Rods & Reels" NASCAR Nextel drivers, charity fishing tournament makes its debut at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, February 16^th, 2007. The tournament, modeled after the hugely successful "Hot Rods & Reels" event held at the Homestead-Miami Speedway for the past five years, offers the perfect combination of fun and excitement: fishing for trophy bass alongside NASCAR NEXTEL Cup drivers and other racing celebrities with the chance to win The Miccosukee Million.

"We're very excited to be launching Hot Rods & Reels in Daytona as to help kickoff the 2007 NASCAR racing season," said Darrell Gwynn, President of the Darrell Gwynn Foundation (DGF) and event founder. The tournament is a fundraiser for the Darrell Gwynn Foundation to Cure Paralysis and the Betty Jane France Pediatric Center Speediatrics at Halifax Hospital. "The Daytona International Speedway is a wonderful venue, and the event will add to the excitement of the start of the season," Gwynn added.

Daytona International Speedway, the Miccosukee Resort & Gaming and celebrity participants provide an opportunity for racing fans and fishing enthusiasts to join forces while raising money for important causes.

Hot Rods & Reels will take place on the Speedway's 29-acre infield lake, Lake Lloyd, which is stocked with (remove trophy sized peacock bass and) largemouth bass.

"We're thrilled that historic Daytona International Speedway and Lake Lloyd are venues for this fundraiser," Track President Robin Braig said. "Fishing on the legendary waters of Lake Lloyd has always been a part of the heritage at Daytona International Speedway and we're proud to host this worthwhile charity event."

The event will also feature a wheelchair giveaway to 15-year old Brian Sundin. The teen is a gifted student at Ormond Beach Middle School born with arthrogryposis, a congenital condition restricting joint movement. DGF will present him with a new power wheelchair at the culmination of the Hot Rods & Reels Tournament.

"The event is the ideal setting to present Brian with his new wheelchair," said Gwynn. "Providing for those with injuries and paralysis is the reason we host Hot Rods & Reels, so it gives everyone a real sense of accomplishment when they see what can be achieved."

Space is limited, so people interested in participating should visit http://www.hotrodsandreels.com/ early to register for the event.

Hot Rods & Reels in Homestead has historically attracted some of the biggest names in NASCAR, including drivers, owners and TV personalities. Daytona is no different. Some of the NASCAR drivers and celebrities currently scheduled (subject to change) for the 2007 Hot Rods & Reels in Daytona include:

Tony Stewart
Kyle Petty
Bobby Labonte
Carl Edwards
Kenny Schrader
Ryan Newman
Kyle Busch
Scott Riggs
Bobby Allison
Donnie Allison

# # #

The Darrell Gwynn Foundation is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to preventing paralysis when possible, providing support for individual's living with paralysis and ultimately finding a cure for paralysis. To expedite specific cures, the Foundation assists in the funding of targeted research.

Hot Rods and Reels
Media Contact:
Caren Berg or Sue Siebert
Boardroom Communications
cberg@boardroompr.com
ssiebert@boardroompr.com
954-370-8999

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Easter Seals Volusia & Flagler Counties, Florida, 1219 Dunn Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Easter Seals and its affiliate organizations are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.