By Joe Chandler
Director, Public Relations
South Boston Speedway
SOUTH BOSTON, VA (September 9, 2024) – A soft, cuddly Teddy Bear can provide a smile, a sense of comfort, and brighten the outlook for a child that is hospitalized for treatment of an injury or illness.
On National Teddy Bear Day, Monday, September 9, South Boston Speedway General Manager Brandon Brown delivered NASCAR-themed Teddy Bears known as Speedy Bears and Speedy Bear Houses to Sentara Halifax Regional Hospital in South Boston, Virginia. The Speedy Bears were donated by the speedway through the NASCAR Foundation’s Speedy Bear Brigade Powered by Kaulig Giving program.
“Coming to the emergency department can be a scary time for a child, having these speedy bears to bring a smile to their face and keep them company is wonderful,” said Nicole Dockery, Chief Nursing Officer at Sentara Halifax Regional Hospital. “We appreciate the thoughtful donation and the comfort they will provide to our pediatric patients.”
Brown said South Boston Speedway is glad to once again to have the opportunity to donate Speedy Bears to Sentara Halifax Regional Hospital.
“Our team at South Boston Speedway is grateful to Sentara Halifax Regional Hospital for welcoming this outreach opportunity,” Brown said. “Partnering with The NASCAR Foundation to donate Speedy Bears to Sentara Halifax Regional Hospital is a wonderful way to brighten the day for young children going through difficult times. It is our hope that the Speedy Bears will provide comfort to the children that receive them and that they will bring smiles to their faces.”
The NASCAR Foundation and Kaulig Giving are celebrating National Teddy Bear Day by joining together to deliver 4,000 NASCAR-themed Teddy Bears to children in 110 hospitals participating in race markets across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The initiative surrounds National Teddy Bear Day celebrated on Sept. 9 with events in Akron, Ohio, home to Kaulig Companies headquarters, as well as Charlotte, N.C. and Daytona Beach, Fla., home to NASCAR headquarters.
This year’s effort is the biggest to date and brings the cumulative total of Speedy Bears delivered to more than 15,000 since the program’s inception in 2016, providing comfort to children during their hospital stays.
New this year, The NASCAR Foundation will also provide $160,000 in grants to local hospitals in select NASCAR race markets. These donations are made possible through the Foundation’s Speediatrics Children’s Fund, which supports needs expressed by hospitals, specialty clinics, camps, and others providing children's medical and health care services.
“Our partnership with The NASCAR Foundation continues to grow on and off the track. All of us share the incredible goal of impacting the communities we love by helping children in need live happier, healthier lives,” said Matt Kaulig, team owner of Kaulig Racing and founder of Kaulig Giving. “We’re honored to team up with The NASCAR Foundation for our fourth year to deliver cheer, positivity, and comfort to children in hospitals across the country through the Speedy Bear Brigade program.”
Matt Kaulig and Kaulig Giving have given a grant of $25,000 to The NASCAR Foundation to challenge NASCAR fans to join the Speedy Bear Brigade by making a $25 donation to sponsor a Speedy Bear. Fans can visit NASCARfoundation.org/speedybear to donate.
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