The NASCAR Foundation announced recently that Robert Weaver, an 83-year old Talladega native, has won the inaugural Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award. The announcement was made by The NASCAR Foundation founder and chairwoman, Betty Jane France, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony at Wynn Las Vegas on Dec. 2, culminating the Champion’s Week celebration in Las Vegas.

“The fans have chosen Robert Weaver, a man who really personifies what this award is all about,” France said. “It is a true honor to announce Robert as our inaugural Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award winner.”

Weaver, who is known across the Talladega region as the “Ice Cream Man” because of the many treats he delivers to deaf, blind and multi-disabled students, received the most votes among four finalists during a NASCAR nationwide fan vote on NASCAR.com and the mobile voting site developed by Sprint.

“I am extremely honored and humbled to have been selected the inaugural recipient of the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award and thank NASCAR, The NASCAR Foundation and the France family for making this possible,” Weaver said. “I have often said that I don’t hit home runs; I just do little things. It is the little things that matter so much in people’s lives. As I look back over my own life, working with the children of Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind has been part of my calling — it is why I was put on this earth. I encourage everyone to find something they are passionate about and commit to making a difference — you’re never too young or old to start.”

The award honors the passionate commitment France has demonstrated on behalf of charities and community works throughout her life. As the winner, Weaver received an expense-paid trip to the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week in Las Vegas, a $32,000 2012 Ford Explorer from Ford and $100,000 from The NASCAR Foundation for the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind Foundation — his children’s charity of choice.