Mackena Bell hosting coat and toy drive

Mackena Bell said she was surprised to learn this year that some people in Carson City can't afford a new pair of shoes.

"You don't realize it until it's brought up that there's so many kids that are less fortunate," she said.

The 18-year-old NASCAR driver and Carson High School graduate said knowing this caused her to work with her sister, Kellcy Bell, to organize a coat, hat, glove and toy drive for Carson City children.

Mackena said she hopes her late model car, legends car and super outlaw dirt kart will attract people to parking lot of the Carson Mall on Saturday.

The clothes will be distributed by the Carson School District and the new unwrapped toys requested will go to Toys for Tots.

Poverty seemed well hidden at Carson High School, Mackena said, but her government teacher, Angela Golik, helped her see that there was a problem.

Mackena said the drive is a way for someone like her who has a lot to give back to people who don't.

This is a way to help and show she isn't "just taking everybody's money," she said.

Shannon Bell, Mackena's mother, said 13-year-old Kellcy Bell came home one day from Eagle Valley Middle School convinced the family needed to do something to help students who weren't even able to afford coats.

Mackena decided she could help bring attention to the fundraiser, Shannon said, and the family is working to help a "huge" demand for winter clothes this year in Carson City.

"I think it's going to be a hit," Mackena said.

Mackena, a former prom queen, is head of Mackena Bell Motorsports and has racing titles in both dirt and asphalt competitions. She is a NASCAR Whelen Late Model Series driver with 18 starts, three top-five finishes and 11 top-10 finishes.

- Contact reporter Dave Frank at dfrank@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.