Contact:
Susan Jacobs, Founder & CEO, Wheels of Success, 813-490-9443;
or, Gregg Laskoski, 813-289-1320; or cell; 813-992-0867

3RD Annual R.A.C.E. Luncheon & Hub Cap Awards Jack Harris of 970 WFLA to Repeat as Master of Ceremonies Friday, April 24, 2009 at A La Carte Event Pavilion, Tampa

Tampa, FL – April 16, 2009 – Without reliable transportation, an individual’s ability to maintain employment and cover basic family needs is greatly challenged. To help raise funds to meet the transportation needs of Tampa Bay’s lower income working families, Wheels of Success is hosting the 3rd Annual R.A.C.E. Luncheon & Hub Cap Awards on Friday, April 24th, from noon to 1:15 p.m., at
A La Carte Event Pavilion in Tampa. R.A.C.E. – Recognition & Appreciation of our Champions Event – to honor community businesses and individuals who are helping to provide the resources that, to date, have prevented nearly 500 families from seeing their lives skid out of control.

Wheels of Success will honor its 2009 Team of Champions, including: AAA Auto Club South (Crew of the Year); Nikki Daniels, The Family Justice Center (Driver of the Year); Eckerd Family Foundation (Community Champion); Jim Labadie, Achieve Total Fitness (#1 Fan); and Hertz (Sponsor of the Year). Recipients will be speaking about their experiences. The event has been sold out since its 2007 inaugural, so reservations are required.

Founded in 2003, Wheels of Success is Tampa Bay’s only 501(c)3 nonprofit organization providing a full range of transportation solutions, including vehicle replacement and car repairs as well as licensing, car payment and down payment assistance to low and moderate income working families. For more information, please visit www.wheelsofsuccess.org or call (813)490-9443.

About Wheels of Success
Donated vehicles assist Wheels of Success clients who are referred by religious and social service organizations or their employer. Wheels of Success follows a "Pay it Forward" philosophy and recipients pay back a percentage of the repairs or licensing services (the vehicle itself is donated to the client) by making monthly payments based on ability to pay, as well as donating 5 service hours per month to the organization. These payments enable clients to make a difference and help Wheels of Success to keep rolling and serving others.

Wheels of Success, Inc. was incorporated in 2003 to help families obtain or continue work by providing them with reliable transportation through a program of car repairs, vehicle replacement, related licensing services, car payments, down payments and car-care classes in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties and has since expanded to Pasco County. To date, Wheels of Success has assisted 220 families and 175 of them have received vehicles.