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GAINESVILLE, Fla., March 14, 2008 - A drivers contingent from the NHRA and GM Racing made their annual stop at the Shands Pediatric Specialty Clinic on the campus of the University of Florida on Thursday, the fifth consecutive year that a group of drivers have kicked off their ACDelco Gatornationals weekend with a visit with the children and staff at Shands. The six drivers who made the Thursday visit included Top Fuel drivers Morgan Lucas and J.R. Todd, Funny Car driver Tony Bartone and Pro Stock drivers Jim Yates, Kurt Johnson and Tom Hammonds.
"This is one of our favorite groups," said Jenna Priest, child life specialist at Shands Pediatric Clinics. "The NHRA drivers do a great job with the kids, they sign autographs, they take pictures and they jump right in and make the kids feel special. This is a visit that everyone in the pediatric clinics look forward to every year."
"It was just a huge day all the way around," Kurt Johnson said. "I think we made a big impact at Shands today, putting smiles on the children's faces and pumping them up, which is the perfect way to lead into the ACDelco Gatornationals."
Shands Children's Hospital is North Central Florida's only comprehensive pediatric facility that treats patients throughout Florida and the United States. UF physicians offer some of the most specialized pediatric programs for the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of complex medical conditions.
During Thursday's visit, the drivers passed out diecast racecars, signed posters, posed for Polaroid photos with the kids and signed autograph cards. They also presented the hospital staff with an autographed racing helmet signed by 47 NHRA competitors including 10 former champions and three champions from 2007. The helmet will be auctioned during an April fundraiser for "STOP! Children's Cancer," a Gainesville-based non-profit organization founded in 1981 and dedicated to the prevention, control and cure of cancer in children.
"Jenna and Rafael (Leon) and the entire staff do such a wonderful job putting this visit together for us, and for the kids and patients who come through the pediatric clinic at Shands," Jim Yates said. "I feel fortunate to be a part of this annual visit - I wouldn't miss it."
"Being able to spread cheer at Shands Hospital means a great deal to me," said Tom Hammonds. "I'm a Floridian so I know all about the good work they do at Shands, and for me to be able to come in for one day and bring a little cheer and light to these kids' lives is just great."
"It's something I always look forward to every year at the Gatornationals," smiled Morgan Lucas. "The Shands Pediatric Center has some very special children and to see their faces light up when we come into their room just makes your day."
"This is a pretty neat deal," said Todd. "It was so much fun spending time with the children and I'm glad we got the chance to sit down and visit with them. I know they brightened up my day with just their smile."
"The kids kept us busy today," said Tony Bartone. "And I know that all the drivers enjoyed the opportunity to come over and spend an afternoon with the children and staff at Shands."
NHRA Drivers Make Annual Visit To Shands Pediatric Specialty Clinic
GAINESVILLE, Fla., March 14, 2008 - A drivers contingent from the NHRA and GM Racing made their annual stop at the Shands Pediatric Specialty Clinic on the campus of the University of Florida on Thursday, the fifth consecutive year that a group of drivers have kicked off their ACDelco Gatornationals weekend with a visit with the children and staff at Shands. The six drivers who made the Thursday visit included Top Fuel drivers Morgan Lucas and J.R. Todd, Funny Car driver Tony Bartone and Pro Stock drivers Jim Yates, Kurt Johnson and Tom Hammonds.
"This is one of our favorite groups," said Jenna Priest, child life specialist at Shands Pediatric Clinics. "The NHRA drivers do a great job with the kids, they sign autographs, they take pictures and they jump right in and make the kids feel special. This is a visit that everyone in the pediatric clinics look forward to every year."
"It was just a huge day all the way around," Kurt Johnson said. "I think we made a big impact at Shands today, putting smiles on the children's faces and pumping them up, which is the perfect way to lead into the ACDelco Gatornationals."
Shands Children's Hospital is North Central Florida's only comprehensive pediatric facility that treats patients throughout Florida and the United States. UF physicians offer some of the most specialized pediatric programs for the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of complex medical conditions.
During Thursday's visit, the drivers passed out diecast racecars, signed posters, posed for Polaroid photos with the kids and signed autograph cards. They also presented the hospital staff with an autographed racing helmet signed by 47 NHRA competitors including 10 former champions and three champions from 2007. The helmet will be auctioned during an April fundraiser for "STOP! Children's Cancer," a Gainesville-based non-profit organization founded in 1981 and dedicated to the prevention, control and cure of cancer in children.
"Jenna and Rafael (Leon) and the entire staff do such a wonderful job putting this visit together for us, and for the kids and patients who come through the pediatric clinic at Shands," Jim Yates said. "I feel fortunate to be a part of this annual visit - I wouldn't miss it."
"Being able to spread cheer at Shands Hospital means a great deal to me," said Tom Hammonds. "I'm a Floridian so I know all about the good work they do at Shands, and for me to be able to come in for one day and bring a little cheer and light to these kids' lives is just great."
"It's something I always look forward to every year at the Gatornationals," smiled Morgan Lucas. "The Shands Pediatric Center has some very special children and to see their faces light up when we come into their room just makes your day."
"This is a pretty neat deal," said Todd. "It was so much fun spending time with the children and I'm glad we got the chance to sit down and visit with them. I know they brightened up my day with just their smile."
"The kids kept us busy today," said Tony Bartone. "And I know that all the drivers enjoyed the opportunity to come over and spend an afternoon with the children and staff at Shands."
