Skinner visits Speediatrics unit with gifts for patients

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Several of Halifax Health Medical Center's pediatric patients got a special treat Tuesday 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.

One young patient thanks Mike Skinner for the visit and gift.

Halifax Health -- Betty Jane France Center for Pediatrics-Speediatrics -- is a 36-bed unit that cares for more than 2,000 children annually, with another 400 or more receiving critical care in the area's only Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. The Speediatrics environment provides a much-needed diversion for young patients undergoing intensive treatments, taking away the intimidation factor that often comes with hospital visits. Speediatrics provides the colorful thrills of auto racing, making hospital stays more comfortable for young patients.

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," Skinner said. "The unit really makes the hospital stay for a child the best that it can be. It's nice to be home for the holidays and give the young patients something to smile about."

Volunteering with the Skinners 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.

Donna Sue Sanders, International Speedway Corp.'s director of community and local governmental affairs, coordinates visits to Speediatrics.

"I look forward to entertaining and handing out goodies to the children every time we visit Speediatrics," she said. "But I'm particularly excited this time because Mike and Angie Skinner will be participating with us."

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 the total to more than $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 more than $5 million for charitable causes.

"The Halifax Health Foundation greatly values the relationship we have with the NASCAR community," said Joe Petrock, Halifax Health Foundation executive director. "We look forward to supporting future NASCAR Days and other community efforts."

To learn more about Speediatrics or Halifax Health visit halifaxhealth.org.