Wrentham,
MA: Over the last few seasons the Northeastern Midget Association has had an influx of
youthful enthusiasm when “young guns” like Ben Seitz, Adam Cantor, Tim Bertrand,
and Bobby Santos III joined the ranks. They got another shot in the arm when Michael
Jarret stepped up his involvement with the Club.
Jarret is not a driver. He is not a car owner. But his impact on the Club can be felt
throughout. Jarret is a fan and a successful businessman. And due in large part to his
friendship with driver Nokie Fornoro and Club President Mike Scrivani, he has opted to use
his prosperity for the betterment of the Northeastern Midget Association.
Michael Jarret of Bellingham, MA has been involved in racing a long time but his renewed
interest in the sport has helped NEMA immensely. Jarret has provided financial assistance
to both individual teams and the Club collectively. Joining Wirtgen America as a co-title
sponsor this season, he has contributed to the annual point fund as well as individual
race purses.
The racing sponsorships are a personal investment for Jarret, however, he uses the
corporate name of his company, Helping Hands of America, in all sponsorships to promote
name recognition, to increase business, and to ultimately help those who are less
fortunate.
“I’m trying this out,” said Jarret. “I’m really enjoying helping
my old friends and all the racing people. Hopefully all this will benefit Helping
Hands.”
After enjoying a hiatus from the salvage business, Jarret came out of retirement in 2000
to form Helping Hands of America with partner Bob Sacchietti of Braintree, MA. The Helping
Hands of America Foundation is a private corporation that solicits tangible goods (autos,
trucks, boats, etc.) for donation with portions of all liquidation proceeds directly
benefiting the associated charities including the Lupus Foundation of Massachusetts,
Sacred Heart Community Missions and the Association of Blind Citizens.
“We gave a million dollars to three local charities last year,” said Jarret with
great pride. “And I want that number to grow year after year.”
At a rate of 1,000 cars per month, Helping Hands of America, sells more than any other
single-location dealership in the country. The astonishing number allows Helping Hands to
meet the contractual financial obligations of each of its charities.
Recently, Jarret and company have added the A.L.S. Association of Massachusetts through
Curt’s (Schilling) Pitch and Meals on Wheels to the list of associated charities.
Nearly 30 years ago, while working as the Manager of Mike’s Truck Stop in Wrentham,
MA, for the Scrivani Family, Jarret struck up a friendship with Fornoro, who drove for the
Scrivanis at the time. He has been a race fan ever since.
His love affair with the sport started through that affiliation and revived through the
same relationship. Located on the property adjacent to the site of the former Mike’s
Truck Stop, the proximity of Helping Hands of America spawned a new affiliation to auto
racing for Jarret and Scrivani.
“We are back where we started from,” said Jarret.
It all began last spring when Jarret agreed to provide sponsorship of the NEMA Midget
operation of car owner Don Barrio and his then-driver Howie Bumpus. Shortly thereafter, he
also began to provide financial support to long-time friend, Nokie in the International
Supermodified Association (ISMA). The involvement quickly evolved into title sponsorship
of both series. Now Helping Hands of America shares the title sponsorship role of ISMA
with Lucas Oil and that of the Northeastern Midget Association with Wirtgen America.
Today, Nokie also drives Barrio’s Midget. Sponsorship in ISMA extends also to Howie
Lane for his #9 and #97 Supers.
Maybe even more important then the financial support is the enthusiasm that Jarret brings
to NEMA. He is a positive presence with an energetic and sincere manner. Mike Jarret is
the kind of man who can be found in front of a grill on any given Thursday cooking lunch
for his 30 employees. He is so full of enthusiasm that a five year old on a sugar-high has
nothing over Mike Jarret.
Jarret’s support of auto racing does not stop with the open-wheel winged cars of NEMA
and ISMA. His generosity extends to many drivers in weekly competition including Dave
Darling, Tom Scully, Jr. & Sr., all Pro Stock competitors at Seekonk Speedway in
Seekonk, MA and Tom Dunn’s SK Modified operation at Thompson. He has even added his
name to one of NASCAR Modified’s legendary car owners with support of Joe Brady with
driver Bobby Santos III in the Featherlite Modified Series.
Helping Hands is looking to expand by seeking licensing in Connecticut and New York in the
near future.
For more information Helping Hands or any of their
associated charities please call Helping Hands of America
at (888) 881-9090 or by logging on to www.helpinghandsofamerica.org.
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