NASCAR Driver David Ragan to Ride on Shriners Hospitals for Children Float in the 2016 Rose Parade
Tampa, Fla. (PRWEB) December 14, 2015 -- Shriners Hospitals for Children® is proud to participate in the 127th Rose Parade® for the sixth consecutive year. This year, NASCAR driver and Shriner David Ragan, will be one of the 11 float riders to be part of the 2016 float Fezzy Races to Adventure.
“I am honored to be a part of this tradition and hope to be able to spread the word about these two wonderful organizations, Shriners Hospitals and Shriners International,” said Ragan. “Racing is such a big part of my life and I thought this was such an appropriate and fun theme to encourage kids to keep strong and enjoy the adventures that life will bring.”
Fezzy Races to Adventure – built and decorated by Phoenix Decorating Co. – features Fezzy, a 17- foot high plush bear at the wheel of a gigantic fire truck. In addition to Ragan, passengers include current patients from Shriners Hospitals for Children and Shriners leadership. This whimsical representation illustrates the commitment of Shriners Hospitals for Children to the overall health and well-being of their patients. The staff is committed to providing both hope and healing, helping patients to overcome challenges and become as confident and independent as possible. They encourage children to dream big and “race to the adventures” that the future will bring.
“We are excited to be able to participate once again in the Rose Parade,” said Jerry G. Gantt, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Shriners Hospitals for Children. “Our float, Fezzy Races to Adventure, is a great way to show the public our commitment to providing healing in a way that is fun and child-friendly. I believe the children riding on the float will enjoy it and so will the audience.”
Established in 1922, Shriners Hospitals for Children is a health care system with 22 locations that provide innovative, expert care for orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injury and cleft lip and palate, regardless of the families’ ability to pay. More than 1 million children and families have benefited from their unique, generous approach to pediatric health care. At Shriners Hospitals for Children, the ability to provide hope and healing in a compassionate, family-centered environment is based on a foundation of nearly 100 years of medical excellence.
For information on Shriners Hospitals for Children, visit: http://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org
For additional information on the Rose Parade, visit http://www.tournamentofroses.com
About Shriners Hospitals for Children
Shriners Hospitals for Children is changing lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care, world-class research and outstanding medical education. Our 22 locations in the United States, Canada and Mexico provide advanced care for children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate.
Shriners Hospitals for Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and relies on the generosity of donors. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.
About the Tournament of Roses®
The Tournament of Roses is a volunteer organization that annually hosts the Rose Parade®, the Rose Bowl Game® and a variety of associated events. Nine hundred thirty-five volunteer members act as ambassadors of the organization and contribute upwards of 80,000 hours of manpower each year. The 127th Rose Parade presented by Honda and themed “Find Your Adventure,” will take place Friday, January 1, 2016, followed by the 102nd Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual. Learn more at http://www.tournamentofroses.com and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
About Phoenix Decorating Company
Now in its 35th year, Phoenix Decorating Company has sent 752 Rose Parade floats down Colorado Boulevard. The Rose Parade float builder of choice was responsible for 18 of the 40 floats in the 2015 edition of the parade. The leader in innovative float design, animation, hydraulics, pyrotechnics and live performances, Phoenix Decorating Company excels in brand integration and support to clients that will bring award-winning floats for years to come. For more information, please visit http://www.phoenixdeco.com
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Fabiana Lowe, Shriners Hospitals for Children, +1 813-281-7164, [email protected]
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