Mike Edwards and his program “A Team on a Mission,” continues to offer the perfect gift to kids around the country. With the support of fellow racers, business executives, the racing industry, and team owners, joined forces to raise more than $90,000 in helping send a kid to a Young Life camp. To date, in only three short years, the “A Team on a Mission” has raised more than $200,000 in support of kids. 

“This is a gift that will have a lasting impact on many young kids around the country,” said Edwards. “By working with the racing family, we are giving hope to many kids that need it the most and letting them know that people care about their future.”

The "A Team on a Mission" program is set up as a simple donation format. Edwards and a few of his fellow Pro Stock racers donate the amount needed to send a kid to a Young Life camp for every round of competition that he wins during the NHRA POWERade schedule. Fans, racers, and businesses, can either match Edwards’ contribution to the program, or develop their own style of donation, which can include a single donation, a set amount per event, or whatever way they would like.

“Sending a kid to a Young Life camp is a great thing and when we first started this program we only dreamed it could reach these numbers,” Edwards continued. “I hope race fans, fellow racers, and the corporate world can see the benefits of such a worthwhile donation and help make the 2008 season the biggest yet. As a racing family, the sky is the limit on how many lives can be impacted through such a program and I just hope we all can join forces to achieve what this program can accomplish.”

For the 2007 racing season, Edwards and the “A Team on a Mission” received donations from NHRA Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin and Pro Stock top 10 finishers V. Gaines and Allen Johnson, as well as Pro car owners Evan Knoll and Kenny Koretsky along with NHRA officials. Given corporate support to the project are Jeg's Mail Order, Roger and Ann Stull, W.W. Engineering, Torco, ProJacks, and Torco's CompetitionPlus.com.

Coughlin has been part of the program since its inception because of the impact it had on his life as a youth. “We enjoy being involved with Young Life and there send a Kid to Camp program. Mike and Lisa Edwards along with many others behind the scenes do an excellent job representing such a great organization. I am proud to contribute because Young Life had a positive role in my high school days. We had a local meeting when I was in high school and I enjoyed socializing with peers my age in a faith-based fashion. I look back on that as a very positive deal and I want to make sure others get the same benefits that I did.”

Also part of this program is at each event, Edwards and his team invites local groups of Young Life kids to the track where Edwards allows them to take in many of the drag-racing attraction and then speaks to them about racing and life-making decisions. To Knoll, sponsor of a handful of cars in the Professional categories, points to the hands-on efforts as a major reason he is part of the program. "I support Mike and the Team on a Mission program because they are just good people. He's an inspiration to the sport. He's a good man with a genuine heart."

"Mike Edwards is a champion in life and that's why I'm honored for Torco's CompetitionPlus.com to be affiliated with his Team on a Mission program,” said Bobby Bennett, Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com publisher, editor and advertising director for the online magazine. “You see a lot of people out there in his position that are speaking the words but don't walk the walk. Mike is a walking testimony through his actions. His team is equally sincere. This team is first class."

For 2008, Edwards is hoping to reach even loftier heights as he sees the “A Team on a Mission” continuing to grow. I hope drivers from all levels of NHRA competition, fans of fuel cars, door cars, and sportsman racing, and racing and non-racing related business help me to make a difference by getting involved. Every bit will help these kids future and that is something worth doing.”

To be part of this program, contact Mike Edwards Motorsports either at the track or by e-mail at mempro44@aol.com .