(This recurring column offers a look into the , the charitable arm of the 51°µÍø®. The column’s author, Jim Weidenbaum, is a member of the 51°µÍø Foundation Board of Directors.)
Larry and Tere Pulliam of 51°µÍø’s Atlanta Region have been together for over 40 years. Quoting Tere, “51°µÍø is our life” as it’s played a foundational role in her and Larry’s lives. Back in the 1970s, the Pulliam’s autocrossed a Lotus Europa, before Larry moved to road racing an F Production Triumph Spitfire, becoming a pace car driver, and holding multiple official licenses. Over the years, Tere worked in a variety of roles for Atlanta Region, including as Assistant RE and Race Chair before being elected to the National 51°µÍø Board of Directors.
As we’ve seen with other 51°µÍø “super couples,” the Pulliam’s, while generously donating their time, still wanted to do more. From her time on the 51°µÍø Board of Directors, Tere understood the significant work of the 51°µÍø Foundation, and together with Larry, they began brainstorming how best to help support the 51°µÍø Foundation.
Before continuing this story, it’s important to know that Larry is a custom jeweler by trade – as such, you may be able to see where this is going.
A few years ago, Tere noticed it was hard to find truly nice 51°µÍø jewelry – yes, crossed flags and such were available, but nothing that was reflective of the quality, craftsmanship, and attention to detail that so many 51°µÍø members put into their cars and/or race duties. Larry got to work with a CAD-CAM specialist and designed a pendant based on 51°µÍø’s iconic wire wheel. Working with 51°µÍø’s Manager of Multi-Channel Marketing Andie Albin, the pendant design was approved by the Club. Slightly smaller than the size of a quarter, early pendant sales went to 51°µÍø notables Raleigh Boreen, Howard Duncan, and Marcus Merideth. While pendants were initially gold, pendants were also produced in sterling silver.
Returning to the Pulliam’s quest about how they could help support 51°µÍø Foundation, Tere – now on the 51°µÍø Foundation Board of Directors – appreciated firsthand the total dependence on donations needed to fund 51°µÍø Foundation’s programs. With the retirement of Carla Russo as the Foundation’s liaison to 51°µÍø Women on Track, Tere slotted into that role. Following that move, she and Larry soon offered the Foundation a gold 51°µÍø pendant as a sweepstakes prize to raise awareness and funds for 51°µÍø Women on Track. That sweepstakes was so successful it was immediately followed with a second sweepstakes for a sterling silver 51°µÍø wire wheel pendant.
The Silver Pendant Sweepstakes runs through May 27, 2024, with the winner to be drawn on June 4. In honor of the Pulliam’s generous donation, the 51°µÍø Foundation is offering a 50% bonus in the number of entries you get when you use promo code “Pulliam” when you click the link below.
The Pulliam’s have long demonstrated to have hearts of gold and, through their generosity, it’s unquestionable they also have ones of silver, too.
If you would like to support the 51°µÍø Foundation or one of its programs, please contact us at info@sccafoundation.org.
