NASCAR Driver Mike Skinner Visits Speediatrics
Several of Halifax Health Medical Center's pediatric patients got a special treat on December 15 when NASCAR driver Mike Skinner and his wife Angie, along with members of the Speedway Ambassadors, showed up to the Speediatrics unit bearing gifts and holiday cheer.
NASCAR Driver Mike Skinner credits Betty Jane France and the dedicated people around her for making the Speediatrics Unit at Halifax Health Medical Center very special.
"It's really amazing that years ago, Betty Jane had this vision and she wrapped her arms around it. The unit really makes the hospital stay for a child the best that it can be," Mike said. "It's nice to be home for the holidays and give the young patients something to smile about."
Volunteering with Mike and Angie Skinner were representatives from the Speedway Ambassadors. The Speedway Ambassadors is an organization made up of about 20 speedway employees who donate time to decorate the pediatric unit and visit with the children during various holidays throughout the year.
Speediatrics is a member of The NASCAR Foundation Family of Charities. The NASCAR Foundation initiates a wide range of annual and ongoing fundraising efforts to support Speediatrics; NASCAR drivers and other personalities from the sport are frequent visitors to Speediatrics units and Speediatrics is an important part of the entire NASCAR community's commitment to helping others.
As part of that commitment, The NASCAR Foundation has donated more than $160,000 to Speediatrics in 2008, bringing our total to over $450,000 to Speediatrics since 2006. These contributions are made possible in part by funds raised through the participation of many great businesses in the Daytona Beach area, with Daytona International Speedway's outstanding fundraising efforts leading the way and continuing to involve more and more community members in the program each year. The Foundation's largest fundraiser of the year, NASCAR Day is an annual charitable celebration of the NASCAR spirit. On NASCAR Day fans, corporations, schools and organizations across the country donate $5 to receive a collectable NASCAR Day lapel pin. To date, NASCAR Day has raised over $5 million for charitable causes.
"The Halifax Health Foundation greatly values the relationship we have with the NASCAR community," Halifax Health - Foundation Executive Director Joe Petrock said. "We look forward to supporting future NASCAR Days and other community efforts."
http://www.halifaxhealth.org/foundation/default.aspxhttp://www.halifaxhealth.org/foundation/speediatrics.aspx 
