Everyone is Rewarded During CARA's Annual Visit to ALL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL in
St. Petersburg, Florida
The Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (Fla.) brings joy and excitement each year to fans who attend the race. Another annual event in conjunction with the grand prix helps bring a little happiness and temporary diversion for patients at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg and their families.
For the sixth straight year, Championship Auto Racing Auxiliary (CARA) organized a visit to the hospital to deliver toys, T-shirts and good cheer to many of the young patients. Joining Cathie Lyon, CARA Executive Director, and Lucille Dust, CARA member, for this year’s visit were Al Speyer, Executive Director of Firestone Racing, Dana Nickerson, Firestone Racing Programs Coordinator, and the Firestone Firehawk mascot.
In all, the group met nearly 80 children hospitalized with serious illness or injury, or those recovering from significant surgery. This was by far the most children that the CARA group has met on its annual visit, following All Children’s Hospital’s move this year to an all-new, 10-story, state-of-the-art facility in downtown St. Pete – just blocks from the racetrack. The visitors also met with many on the All Children’s Hospital staff who toil tirelessly and invest their own emotions in caring for the patients.
“CARA is involved in numerous charitable endeavors, but our yearly visit to All Children’s Hospital is always among the most memorable,” said Lyon. “To see first-hand the struggles and challenges that these children and their families are facing, yet at the same time witnessing their resolve and optimism, provides an inspirational life lesson for everyone. If our visit each year can help bring even a short fun distraction for some of the patients and their families, then it is well worth the time.”
The highlight of the visit for the children is without doubt the playful Firestone Firehawk. The mascot is usually greeted with ear-to-ear grins and open arms waiting for a hug as soon as he enters a child’s room. And even though Firehawk cannot speak, the emotional connection he makes with the young patients speaks volumes.
“Firestone Racing has been a longtime CARA supporter,” said Firestone’s Speyer. “When CARA asked us to participate in the first All Children’s Hospital visit on St. Pete race weekend back in 2005, we jumped at the chance and are so glad we did. It is truly among the highlights of my travels each year, and important enough that I rearranged my weekend schedule this year to be able to make the trip.
“Seeing the gleaming faces of those young patients when Firehawk and the CARA reps enter their room with gifts and love,” Speyer added, “is all the evidence we need to know that this is a tremendous program.”
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