Mother's Day

My son Roland and Kevin O'Keefe, president and CEO of the Riley Children's Foundation (top left); Roland, nephews Andrew and Alex with Super Bowl-winning Colts tight end Ben Utecht (top right); Andrew and Roland with the 2007 pace car (bottom left); Andrew, Alex and Roland.

I had a great Mother's Day. A couple of weeks ago, my son Roland received an invitation from the Riley Children's Foundation to attend Riley Family Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Roland was born with some problems that required him to stay for three weeks at Riley. He since has served as a poster boy for various print and broadcast campaigns, including a public service announcement shot with NASCAR star Jeff Gordon.

The day was great. We arrived at the Speedway where we were given a prime parking spot. When we entered the huge Pavilions A and B, I was given a carnation corsage. We each received holders for our tickets. The boys were given posters and limited edition Speedway pins, one of this year's pace car and another showing a winner drinking milk, a tradition following the race.
We ate a hearty lunch that included the awesome chicken and Indiana favorite, fried biscuits and apple butter.

We sat in the stands and watched as several drivers qualified. Being on the pit side, we had great views of the crews preparing the cars for their runs. my brother-in-law Andrew the Elder and I were able to tour the garage area, where we saw disassembled cars tightened and tweaked for their moments on the tracks.

Thanks Roland!

The Riley Children's Foundation ensures that any child in Indiana who needs the unique services provided by Riley Hospital is able to receive them regardless of the family's ability to pay. So if you feel a need to give a charitable contribution, please, keep the foundation in your thoughts.