Hotel Initiative Raises over $50,000 for Central Texas Youth

Mark Kiester (Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area), Neil Goldman (Hotels for Hope), Bruce Knox (Circuit of The Americas) and Cathy Jones (Austin Partners in Education)This week, Circuit of The Americas and Hotel for Hope, an Austin, Texas-based social enterprise that "turns room nights into social change," announced that their partnership from the 2012 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix raised a total of $50,800. Through the Hotels for Hope program, participating hotels agree to donate $1 per booked room night and Hotels for Hope matches the donation. The Hotels for Hope program facilitates an opportunity for large events and their participating hotels to give back to the Central Texas community by raising funds and awareness for nonprofit organization that positively impact the lives of children

The two non-profits for the inaugural race year were Austin Partners in Education and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area. The funds were split evenly so that each organization received $25,400. This is the largest amount Hotels for Hope has raised to date. Some of the organization's other charity partners have included Special Olympics of Texas, Livestrong, A Glimmer of Hope and Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.

Cathy Jones, Executive Director of Austin Partners in Education, said this generous donation will allow the organization to continue their programs that focus on reading, math and college readiness programs that raise student academic performance. In the last year, more than 2,300 students in 17 schools received a minimum of 45 minutes per week of academic and personal support in elementary and middle school reading and math from more than 1,000 dedicated APIE volunteers. Another 250 high school seniors received individualized tutoring and test preparation support to ensure they graduate from high school college-ready. This donation will also make it possible for APIE to expand their reach in the future.

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area's CEO, Mark Keister, was excited to recognize Circuit of The Americas as an active community partner. With the funds from this initiative, the Boys & Girls Club has been able to start an after-school program in the Del Valle school district, the area where Circuit of The Americas is located. Boys & Girls Clubs in the Austin area serve 12,000 kids per year and 1,700 per day throughout their 17 clubs in the most economically distressed area of Austin. Through the programs, kids are exposed to life-enhancing programs that enrich them both academically and socially. Club members have better school attendance, make better grades, graduate at a higher rate and are more likely to attend college in comparison to their peers.

COTA Executive Vice President Bruce Knox shared his sentiments:

Giving back to children and young adults in the Central Texas community is very important to the entire team at Circuit of The Americas. We extend our sincere thanks to our hotel partners that participated in this program, which generated business for them and charitable donations for two very worthy causes. Hundreds of thousands of guests, including motorsports enthusiasts from around the world, visited Central Texas for the Formula 1 event. This collaborative effort with Hotels for Hope allowed us to capitalize on the tremendous boost to regional tourism that the FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX brings to our area by also creating a way for hotels to support local nonprofits.  It’s a winning combination.

Hotels for Hope founder and owner Neil Goldman added:

Hotels for Hope is proud of what was accomplished with Circuit of The Americas to provide this important community service in conjunction with the 2012 FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX. Since its inception, Hotels for Hope has already made a significant contribution to our partner beneficiaries, all of which make a direct impact on the lives of children.

This partnership will continue throughout the year and designated nonprofit recipients for the 2013 motorsport season will be announced in the coming weeks.

Thank You from AGP

The Texas State Capitol in Austin, TexasThe entire Austin Grand Prix team is grateful for the support of our fans and friends throughout the past two and a half years! We wanted to share our appreciation with a few members of the F1 Paddock in a unique way, so we requested the flag of the State of Texas be flown above the Texas State Capitol on Sunday, November 18, 2012 to commemorate the Inaugural Formula 1 United States Grand Prix.

With the help of our friends Jennie Gow, Jason Swales and John Watson with BBC Radio 5 Live, two of the historic flags made it to São Paolo, Brazil for a special delivery during the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix. Jennie tells us that Lewis "was touched" by such a commemorative gift and Will Buxton also shared his reaction via Twitter: "Just been given the most amazing gift. One of the 4 flags that flew on the State Capitol on USGP Sunday. I'm in tears...hugely honoured and very grateful."

AGP is excited to share our Texas pride and this small part of history with the winner of our Inaugural race, Lewis Hamilton, and with Will Buxton, who has been an incredible supporter of Formula 1 in America. This is only the beginning!

Enjoy these photos:

Texas Dignitaries and FIA President to Present USGP Trophies

The podium at the 2012 USGP in Austin, TX

The 2012 Formula One United States Grand Prix winners' trophies will be presented by the following Austin and Texas dignitaries and FIA President:

The Winning Driver's trophy will be presented by Rick Perry, the Governor of the State of Texas.

The Winning Constructor's trophy will be presented by Susan Combs, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

The Second Place Driver will receive his trophy from David Dewhurst, Lieutenant Governor of the State of Texas.

Third Place Driver will receive his trophy from Nick Craw, President, ACCUS and FIA Senate President.

The Trophy presenters of the 2012 USGP (L-R): Rick Perry, Susan Combs, David Dewhurst and Nick Craw