Shelby's "Team Cobra" Assists Children's Organ Transplants

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Shelby's "Team Cobra" Assists Children's Organ Transplants
Carroll Shelby foundation forms an exclusive group to raise funds for children's organ transplants
December 20, 2004
Motor Trend

The Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation has re-opened membership in Team Cobra 2000, an exclusive group of Cobra enthusiasts who support the children's organ transplant charity through generous donations. For the first time since its inception in 2000, Team Cobra is expanding its membership to the first 300 new pledges. To join Team Cobra 2000, individuals are asked to make a one-time donation of $2000 and an annual contribution of $1000 to the Foundation, along with a pledge to actively support organ donation.

After receiving a successful heart transplant in 1990, Carroll Shelby established the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation in 1991 as a volunteer-based, non-profit organization dedicated to giving young people a second chance by providing assistance for acute coronary and kidney care and increasing awareness of organ donation. The Team Cobra program is designed to provide significant aid to the Foundation, which depends solely on individual and corporate contributions for funding, and all donation monies go directly to benefit the Foundation and its various programs.

"In 1965 we won the prestigious World Manufacturer's Championship in the FIA with our original Team Cobra," says founder Carroll Shelby. "Now, 40 years later, to celebrate that achievement, we're putting together another 'Team Cobra' for an even more important cause, finding organ and tissue transplants for children in need of financial assistance. I hope all of our loyal fans who love and enjoy our cars will help us make a difference in the lives of these deserving youngsters."

Supporters who join Team Cobra will receive exclusive membership benefits that include:

• An exclusive Team Cobra 2000 jacket
• Team Cobra crew tags
• A Shelby autographed Team Member personalized I.D.
• A Shelby autographed membership certificate
• Priority invitations to all Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation events
• 20% discount on all Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation merchandise
• 10% discount on Goodyear racing tires, courtesy of Carroll Shelby International
• A quarterly newsletter detailing all Foundation activities and Team Cobra 2000 updates
• An exclusive "members only" invitation to an annual dinner hosted by Carroll Shelby

Carroll Shelby has left his stamp on the racing scene as a world-class driver and team manager. He forever changed the face of the sports car market with his 289 and 427 Cobras and Shelby Mustangs, which made him a household name. Shelby also created a series of Chrysler and Dodge performance vehicles, including envisioning and inaugurating the prototype design on what ultimately became the Dodge Viper. Still a dominant force in the automotive industry at age 81, Shelby recently served as a senior technical advisor to Ford's team developing the new Ford GT supercar, providing design and engineering support.

About the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation
Legendary racer and automotive manufacturer Carroll Shelby, following years of heart-related difficulties which culminated in a successful heart transplant, created the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation in October 1991. The organization is dedicated to providing assistance for acute coronary and kidney care for young people who share many of the same afflictions. To date, the Foundation has helped numerous children and has provided seed monies to launch a similar programs. The Foundation also provides grants to organizations conducting research in the fields of coronary and organ transplant management.

Funding for the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation comes from a variety of programs conducted throughout the year. These programs include generous donations given in exchange for Carroll's autographs, Team Cobra 2000 annual membership, a portion of the proceeds from the International Chili Society chili cook-off, as well as generous donations from corporate and private sponsors and through his personal appearance fees. In addition, the Shelby American Automobile Club (SAAC), the Shelby Mustang clubs, and the Shelby Dodge clubs all include the Foundation as an active participant and beneficiary of their national and regional convention event proceeds. For more information, visit www.shelbychildrensfoundation.org or call 310-327-5072.
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