Longtime Flying Horse Farms volunteer and camp champion Sarah Kersey is one of four finalists for The NASCAR Foundation’s annual Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award. If she wins, camp will receive $100,000.
Kersey is a cancer survivor who has a unique understanding of what seriously ill children and their family members face. She is a third-grade teacher in Dublin City Schools and has volunteered with Flying Horse Farms since camp opened its gates in 2010. Flying Horse Farms is the camp for seriously ill children that is just east of Mount Gilead on State Route 95.
She is also a lifelong NASCAR fan.
At camp, Kersey does everything from bunking in cabins with kids for a week at a time in the summer to spending fall weekends at camp singing songs, making crafts and shooting arrows with campers and their families.
“I am truly changed for the better because of camp. There aren’t enough words to describe the transformational moments that I have experienced,” Kersey said.
“I’ve always said that I am my best self when I am at camp, and that has transferred over to my work outside of the time I spend there. I attest all of my success as a third-grade teacher to the time that I have spent at camp—having learned how to differentiate experiences for students who need accommodations, leading with love and knowing that having a meaningful connection is of the utmost importance. Camp has gifted me with the opportunity to see the true definition of strength, courage and empowerment, and I feel eternally blessed.”
Because Kersey is a finalist, Flying Horse Farms is guaranteed to receive a minimum $25,000 donation from The NASCAR Foundation. If she wins, camp will receive a $100,000 gift.
The winner is determined by public vote online. You can vote for Sarah every day through Nov. 19 at www.NASCARfoundation.org/award.
