Left - Right: Kidney Transplant recipient Myles Nesbitt Philip and father, Art contest winner Thomas Belhacene , Jerome Ito of the CSCF, Ken Ebert from AFAS, Chuck Craine Wells Fargo Private Bank, Jenni Shreeves CSCF, transplant recipient Christopher Padua and mother Jenille Rimando and Rick Loftgren President COTA.

CSCF Donates $52,000 to COTA.

Pebble Beach, Calif. – The Carroll Shelby Children’s Foundation made a $52,000 donation today to the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) during the Automotive Fine Arts Society’s annual reception at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.  The funds were raised during the 6th Kid’s Automotive Art Contest, which concluded in April and was hosted by the Foundation, Road & Track and the AFAS.  The Carroll Shelby Children’s Foundation matched the $26,000 total raised during the contest, resulting in the $52,000 contribution to COTA, which provides fundraising assistance for children needing life-saving transplants.

“It’s an honor to help a fine organization like COTA,” said Carroll Shelby, founder of the Carroll Shelby Children’s Foundation.  “Their fight to promote organ transplants for kids across the country is very close to my heart.  I established my foundation 15 years ago to achieve the same goal of providing better lives for youngsters in need.”

Sponsored by Wells Fargo and numerous automotive companies, the Road & Track, AFAS Kid’s Automotive Art Contest challenged children to draw or paint the car they would like to drive when they grow up.  Jake Rosenberg Lane won the Kindergarten-8th Grade division, while Thomas Belhacene was awarded the top prize in the 9th-12th Grade category.  Money was raised for COTA through contest entry fees and donations.

“The entire COTA family is extremely grateful to the Carroll Shelby Children’s Foundation for helping us to continue giving hope and making miracles for transplant-needy children nationwide,” noted Rick Lofgren, president of COTA.  “This gift will be used to help our most needy transplant families ensure their children have a second chance at life.  Carroll Shelby understands better than most how a life-saving transplant can change a life forever; and we are thankful for his compassion and his commitment to COTA’s miracle-making mission.”

For more information on next year’s Kid’s Automotive Art Contest, click here or email Carroll Shelby Children’s Foundation director, Jenni Shreeves, at jenni@cscf.org.

About The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA)
The Children’s Organ Transplant Association is a national charity that provides fundraising assistance for children needing life-saving transplants.  COTA’s priority is to assure that no child or young adult is denied a transplant or excluded from a transplant waiting list due to lack of funds.  100 percent of all funds raised in honor of patients are used for transplant-related expenses.  For more information about COTA, visit www.cota.org or call (800) 366-2682.