The Inside the Outdoors Foundation, which is known for bringing students to nature — and vice versa — is in the running for a sizable grant to expand its efforts. But they need your help.
The organization has been named one of 10 national semifinalists in the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Helmet of Hope grant challenge, which is sponsored by the philanthropic Jimmie Johnson Foundation. But there’s still one final lap to go, and this is where you come in. Of the remaining semifinalist charities, the five that receive the most online votes between now and May 6 will receive a $25,000 cash grant and a Blue Bunny Ice Cream party.
Oh, and one more thing: The winners will also have their logos featured on Jimmie Johnson’s racing helmet during the NASCAR Sprint Cup race on Aug. 7.
The Inside the Outdoors Foundation is certainly a worthy challenger in this race. The program supports knowledge of the natural environment through hands-on lessons, field trips and a team of Traveling Scientists, which are dispatched to schools throughout the region to teach students about science and nature.
Voting your favorite Helmet of Hope charity couldn’t be easier. Just visit www.helmetofhope.org and find the big red button that says “CLICK HERE TO VOTE.” You can give the Inside the Outdoors Foundation an inside track by voting multiple times through the May 6 deadline, so vote early and vote often.