Young Racer to Help Raise Awareness about National Child Safety Campaign

Alexandria, VA - May 13, 2008 - The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) today announced that 17 year old race car driver, Auston Harris, will serve as a spokesperson for the Center's national safety campaign, Take 25. The Take 25 campaign is sponsored by Lifetouch and was launched in commemoration of National Missing Children's Day.  It encourages parents, guardians and communities to take 25 minutes to talk to children about important safety issues. It includes 600 events throughout the month of May in 282 communities and all 50 states including the District of Columbia.  It will continue through National Missing Children's Day on May 25.

Harris, who is set to race in 3 races in the USAC Ford Focus Midget during the month of May, will make several local appearances and will also display the NCMEC logo on his race suit and race car.   Harris will race for multiple championship-winning team-owner Bob East at Anderson Speedway in Anderson, IN on May 14th, Mt. Lawn Speedway in New Castle, IN on May 22^nd, and Plymouth Speedway in Plymouth, IN on May 28^th.

"We are delighted to have Auston help promote the Take 25 campaign in Indiana," said Herbert C. Jones, Vice President, External Affairs, NCMEC. "Auston is a determined young man that is pursuing his dream.  We appreciate the fact that he is embracing our commitment to child safety and look forward to working with him." 

"I am really excited to be working with NCMEC and carrying their colors on my race car", said Harris.  "There is nothing more important than keeping children safe and I will do my best to help this cause while racing in Indiana this May and for the rest of the season."

The Take 25 campaign is proudly sponsored by Lifetouch, the largest employee-owned photography company in the world. It is Lifetouch's rapid response team in partnership with NCMEC that provides 24/7 retrieval of children's photographs, thereby giving law enforcement an essential tool - a current photograph - in the event a child goes missing.

For more information about the Take 25 campaign or for a complete list of events, visit http://www.take25.org/.