Kevin Harvick Foundation helps displaced families to celebrate Christmas

On Thursday, two sets of siblings from two different families – ages 10 to 15 years old – enjoyed a holiday shopping spree courtesy of the Kevin Harvick Foundation and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet in Matthews, N.C.

Each child led the way in a four-minute shopping blitz with the help of family members, Harvick and members of the Charlotte Fire Department. By the end, more than a dozen shopping carts were stuffed full of electronics, toys, home furnishings and even pet supplies.

Harvick, his wife, DeLana, and their son, Keelan, were displaced from their home in Oak Ridge, N.C., in November 2013 by a fire. They have since moved to the Charlotte area.

“The Charlotte Fire Department was great to help us find a couple families that recently had a house fire, bringing them to the store and have a shopping spree on whatever they think they needed,” Harvick said.

“What makes me smile is the kids don’t just go straight for the toy aisle, they go straight for what they need at home. In the end, they got some toys, too. I’m just happy to see some smiles on a couple of families’ faces that are in a pretty tough spot.”

Thursday’s shopping spree was the first event of a busy day for the Kevin Harvick Foundation, which was going to culminate with its annual dinner and concert on Thursday night.

“We’re fortunate to have a platform to raise awareness for families that are in this particular position. We’ve had a lot people that have been gracious enough through the years to raise a bunch of money,” Harvick said. “We try to do anything we can to enrich the lives of children around the country.”

Harvick said his own family’s displacement by fire “changed our lives in a direction they weren’t expecting.”

“We see these families that have kids and they expect to have a Christmas and they’re in a time of need,” he said. “Hopefully what we did today will help these families get through Christmas.”