By Adam Fenwick
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. | Coltman Farms Racing of Maysville, Ga. owner Brett Coltman announced a $1 million charitable donation to the Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett on May 15, kicking off a campaign to raise $4.5 million for a new classroom building of six classrooms. The school hopes to complete the campaign by June of 2025, with occupancy one year later.
The donation was announced during Coltman Farms Racing’s annual ‘show and tell’ visit to the facility, which featured the entire driving team. It comes one year after Coltman made a $150,000 donation in support of the Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett.
Jamie Hamilton, executive director of Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett, says: “Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett is beyond grateful to everyone at Coltman Farms Racing for their continued support and an amazing day on campus. Our students loved meeting Drivers David McCoy and Tanner English, seeing their cars, getting the autographs, and some even made it into their drivers’ seats. Everyone from the team was so kind, patient, and engaging with our kids and went above and beyond to create a wonderful experience. To cap the day off with a $1 million donation is nothing short of a dream.”
The new classroom building is needed, as 74 students are enrolled to be in school in the fall of 2024. But another 85 more are on a waiting list, since at present there is insufficient space for them.
The Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett offers classes for children ranging in age from toddlers to high schoolers. The school’s philosophy is that special needs students are children first, with all the needs, desires, and feelings of children without disabilities. They are more like other children than different.
Their disabilities are inconveniences that keep them from enjoying full lives, and therefore must be overcome or compensated for so that the children can grow and move out into the world.
Brett Coltman, who owns Coltman Farms Racing, operates four house cars for English and McCoy, but also sponsors many of dirt racing’s brightest young stars. Coltman Farms Racing is also heavily involved in grassroots racing, serving as the title and presenting sponsor of several regional and national touring series.
“Coltman Farms Racing is not just about winning,” Coltman says. “It’s about instilling values and principles that go beyond the track. Those values and principles include giving back to your community. It’s an honor to do just that with this donation. We are committed to nurturing a generation of drivers who are not just skilled and competitive, but also embody the spirit of sportsmanship, integrity and the American dream.”
Coltman adds that children should aspire to be leaders in their own respective communities. By supplying this donation, Coltman knows the Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett will continue to foster strong characteristics in their students that they can carry with them through the rest of their lives.
He further says: “We’re honored to be able to make this $1 million donation to the Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett to help them provide care and education services to children of all ages and disabilities. To see the smiles on their faces and to see them in their Coltman Farms Racing hats while interacting with our team and drivers was priceless.”
- For additional information about the Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett and their mission, visit www.specialneedsschools.org.
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