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(Kansas City, Kan.) – May, 13- Today Victory Junction celebrated its ceremonial ground breaking, with over 500 guests in attendance, at their new location in Kansas City, Kansas. The year-round, medical camp for children with chronic medical conditions and serious illnesses will be located on a 71-acre campus at 8205 Riverview Road, Kansas City, Kansas.  Today's "Feel the Magic" celebration ceremony included Victory Junction campers, Victory Junction Founders, Kyle and Pattie Petty, Victory Junction President, Mike Lepore, President and CEO of Chick-fil-A, Dan Cathy,  The Reverend Franklin Graham and Kansas City Mayor, Joe Reardon.

The camp will operate solely on the donations from corporations, organizations and individuals, allowing campers to attend at no cost to their families. The second Victory Junction – Midwest facility is expected to open in some capacity in 2011. 

 

"I was thrilled to have The Kyle Petty Charity Ride, who have supported us for many years, here and to have such a wonderful turn out from the community at large. This gives us a wonderful jump start to our future efforts as we diligently work to complete the project and to serve children with chronic illnesses from through out the Midwest."said Mike Lepore, President of Victory Junction,

 

Also in attendance and led by NASCAR driver Kyle Petty, were more than 200 motorcycle riders participating in the 15th Anniversary Chick-fil-A Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America. Included in the group were retired NFL player Herschel Walker, PGA Golfer Davis Love III, NASCAR Drivers Matt Kenseth and Steve Park, Former NASCAR Driver Harry Gant and the Reverend Franklin Graham. The group stopped on their 3,500-mile cross-country trek to celebrate this special day. Petty’s Charity Ride has been the camp’s largest donor, and has contributed more than $12 million to children’s charities since its inception in 1995.

"Our new Victory Junction – Midwest location will help us expand our reach to change the lives of deserving children," said Kyle Petty. "It’s through the help of our riders, local Dream Teams, Chick-fil-A and our numerous sponsors that this second camp is possible."

 

Victory Junction is a year-round camping environment for children ages six to 16 with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. Founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty in honor of their son Adam, the camp is located in Randleman, N.C., with a second location opening soon in Kansas City, Kan. Victory Junction offers programs for 24 disease groups and maintains strong relationships with 27 partner hospitals. Victory Junction’s mission is to provide life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering, in a safe and medically-sound environment. As a not-for-profit organization, the camp operates solely through the support of generous donors to provide this experience at no charge to children and their families. www.victoryjunction.org

Led by NASCAR driver Kyle Petty, The Chick-fil-A Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America raises awareness and funds for Victory Junction and other charities supporting chronically ill children. The Ride is one of the most successful and popular charity events in NASCAR. Now in its 15th year, the Ride has donated more than $12 million to children’s charities, with 6,100 participants logging more than 7.9 million cumulative motorcycle miles. In 2009, NASCAR celebrities, Ride sponsors and motorcycle enthusiasts will travel from Stevenson, Wash. to Greensboro, N.C. from May 8-17. www.kylepettycharityride.com