This year, one of the few non-Mustang and non-racing causes I became more aware of (through the fund-raising efforts of PSCA racer Ron DeHoop) and involved with is the great work that is done for children at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

Nothing hurts my heart more than to hear stories of children suffering from terminal illnesses such as cancer, etc, and families not having the means to get their kids the type of care they need, or research for cures.

As the country's second-largest, healthcare charity, the awesome thing about St. Jude is the fact that the hospital accepts patients for treatment without any regard to a family's ability to pay.

I give major props to St. Jude. It truly is an outstanding organization and I encourage members of the Mustang Nation to support the research the hospital does and the care they give sick children.

SPX has come up with an awesome opportunity that will help St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. I use quite a few SPX Service Solutions and OTC tools, so I think it's cool that a company I've worked with is doing its part to help out. Find out more about it, after the jump...

SPX Corporation recently announced that it has donated a Ford Mustang FR500S Challenge Race car autographed by numerous race car drivers to raise funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org).

The car was obtained through the company's diagnostic tool business, Detroit-based SPX Service Solutions, which has been a service provider to Ford Motor Company for many years. The car is scheduled to be auctioned off by Barrett-Jackson at its January 2010 event in Scottsdale, Arizona, with all of the proceeds going to St. Jude.
 
"SPX is proud to again participate in the fundraising efforts that support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and their vital contributions toward the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases," said SPX Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Christopher J. Kearney. "This race car, in addition to its tour on the race tracks, has made appearances at St. Jude fund raising events, and the lucky winning bidder will receive not only a truly unique car but have the satisfaction of knowing they are supporting one of the great children's hospitals in the world."

The donated Ford Mustang FR500S is a specially prepared car that has competed in the Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup and is number 56 of approximately 75 cars that were built on the production line in Flat Rock, Michigan. This also marked the first time that Ford had ever built a production run of cars for a race car series on their assembly line. Prepared by Capaldi Racing in conjunction with Ford Racing, the car features a specially modified production 4.6L, 3-valve V-8 engine producing 325 horsepower. The car just recently completed the 2009 series and is race-ready for any qualified enthusiast seeking to race in a competitive series.

"This particular race car is truly special in that it bears the signed autographs of many of the drivers in the Miller Cup series, along with the signature of Gary Bennett of Barrett-Jackson, who was the most recent driver at the final series event at Miller Motorsports Park," explains David Kowalski, SPX segment president. "The vehicle also remains race-ready, with all the safety equipment, data acquisition recorders and timing and scoring transponders still in place. Another unique aspect is that it's equipped with a passenger seat, because it was used as a media car to run hot laps with celebrities and members of the media."

This Mustang definitely is worth winning...and remember, the money is going to one of the best causes out there.