Motor Racing Outreach Association (MRO), drivers, and friends of Greenville-Pickens Speedway are sponsoring a room at MARY’S House in memory of five-year-old Harper Edens and nine-year-old Hayden King. The two Easley children died of gunshot wounds to the head while inside their car parked outside the Greenville-Pickens Speedway this summer, as victims of domestic-related conflict.

Announcement of the memorial was made the evening of Saturday, August 5, 2017 at the Greenville-Pickens Speedway prior to the beginning of the race. Those present for the announcement included Pickens County Sheriff Rick Clark and his wife, Tani Clark, MARY’S House Executive Director Kristina Smith, MARY’S House Board member Dean Weinmuller, Greenville-Pickens Speedway Chaplain Dale Tyre, and driver Tasha Porter.

Sheriff Clark thanked the Greenville-Pickens Speedway and everyone who supports MARY’S house, Pickens County’s domestic violence shelter, and said that the tragic situation has brought about much good will from the Speedway. He added anyone needing help should seek help, so that they can be given options of what to do rather than take dramatic action.

Smith said that, when she first came to the Speedway, she came, not as a representative of MARY’S House but as a representative of MRO. She takes photographs of the drivers during the races and shows the photos to the children at MARY’S House, who are always eager to find out who wins the races. “I would like to take a moment to tell each of the drives that I appreciate them,” she said. The plaque on the door to the sponsored room reads: “Greenville-Pickens Speedway, In Memory, Harper Edens (5) and Hayden King (9).”  “They will always be remembered,” she said.

As Chaplain Dale Tyre gave the invocation, he asked that God be with all of the families affected by the tragedy. “Give those families comfort as they deal with the loss of those precious kids,” he said. He also prayed, “Be with all of the drivers and crew, be with all of the police and EMS that work here and keep us safe every week. We would like for you to be with all of the service people at home and abroad that fight and risk their lives to protect our freedom. But, most of all, we thank you for sending your son to die on a cross for our sins. God bless America and Amen.”

Tasha Porter, a driver at Greenville-Pickens Speedway, then sang the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

For more information on MARY’S House, visit their website at www.maryshouse.com