Tuesday, May 14, 2013

The amazing Sherry Pollex




The Observer's beloved and acclaimed NASCAR reporter Jim Utter has magic. He mentioned my name to the organizers of Catwalk for a Cause, a fundraiser on May 15 for the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation. The next thing I know I'm sitting at Mimosa uptown with the NASCAR driver's longtime girlfriend, Sherry Pollex, Martin's p.r. person Traci Hultzapple and Lisa Hughes Kennedy of Toyota, the event's major sponsor. What a great group of women! Thanks, Jim.

Sherry had a day filled with media interviews, so I was really appreciated being included in her media tour for the important and exciting event. (The photo above was taken during their interview with WCNC-TV.) I had never met her before, but I had heard what a kind, caring person she is. And I knew from seeing photos of her that she is beautiful. I was expecting the best and I got even more. Bottom line: Sherry Pollex is an amazing woman.

For details about the event, go to www.martintruexjrfoundation.org.

Sherry loves fashion (she owns Lavendar boutique in Mooresville), so she came up with the idea for Catwalk for a Cause because it merges two of her passions: style and raising money to help children through the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation. The first event in 2009 was held at a country club. From there, it's grown into a huge production. This year's event is being held at Michael Waltrip Racing in Cornelius and tickets sold out almost instantly. The 450 guests have already generated around $60,000 through advance ticket sales. The evening's fabulous silent auction items will bring in even more. Even if you don't have a ticket, you can still bid on items online. Among the celebrities expected to attend are  NASCAR drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Danica Patrick along with reality TV star Emily Maynard.

I was struck by Sherry's natural beauty. It's also clear she is fiercely independent, a smart businesswoman and that she has a big heart. It was very touching to hear how much thought she and Martin put into the children's causes they support. The proceeds from Catwalk for a Cause go to a fund that helps families with children being treated at the Levine Children's Hospital. One of the neat details about Catwalk for a Cause is that a portion of the runway show features  children who are fighting cancer. For Sherry, and Martin, that's an incredibly emotional moment that's meaningful to them and the children. Here are photos from a previous event:




The fund at Levine Children's Hospital is just one of the many recipients of the foundation. Martin and Sherry really work hard to identify and fill needs involving children's causes. They are in the process of opening a children's wing at a hospital in Martin's hometown in New Jersey.

"We've been together for eight years. My mom told me that she thinks God put us together because my heart goes with his talent," Sherry said. "Without racing and what Martin does, we couldn't help children and our community the way we can now. It's one of the things that bonds us and keeps us grounded."

Follow Olivia on Twitter @oliviafortson



Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/05/08/4030399/sherry-pollex.html#storylink=cpy























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