Children’s Hospital receives ‘real’ car for holiday gift
Birmingham Automobile Dealers donate ‘colorful’ SUV at time when help is most needed
Birmingham, AL, December 18, 2008: In an economic climate where charitable giving has seen a reduction in donations, the Birmingham Automobile Dealers Association (BADA) has presented Children’s Hospital with a 2008 Toyota RAV4. BADA Director Brett McBrayer will present the vehicle Monday at 2PM in a celebration at the famed Birmingham hospital. “Our dealers have stepped up to help one of America’s finest facilities,” noted McBrayer, “and we are pleased to do this especially during this holiday season where much of the nation’s economic news has been less than positive.”
John Stone, Director of Community Development at Children’s Hospital, pointed out, “We can always count on the local automobile dealers, their partnership with us goes back a long way.” Several children who are currently patients will take part in the presentation of the keys. “They will be thrilled with this RAV4,” said Stone, “not only are they getting a ‘real’ car as a holiday gift but the dealers had a special vehicle wrap designed just for Children’s Hospital.”
Attending the ceremony with McBrayer will be Bruce Limbaugh, president of Limbaugh Toyota, whose dealership handled the RAV4 transaction. “If there was ever a good deal made on a vehicle, this was it,” said Limbaugh, “Everyone involved with BADA was thrilled to make the donation.” Limbaugh also thanked Alotta Graphics of Birmingham who designed the colorful vehicle wrap for the RAV4. “It’s bright,” said Limbaugh, “but if it makes these youngsters happy, then our mission has been accomplished.”
The RAV4 will be used by the Children’s Hospital Comprehensive Health Education Center for Kids (CHECK), a resource center that provides health education information for patients, families, staff and the community on a wide variety of health and safety topics. The CHECK Center’s outreach programs include CPR/first aid, Safe Sitters babysitting classes, school visits and car seat safety events across the metro area. “This group is involved,” McBrayer pointed out; “all of our dealerships provide community support in so many ways, and most often without any publicity.” There are 44 metro area dealerships in the BADA.
Children’s Hospital of Alabama is the 10th busiest pediatric medical center in the United States and one of only about 45 freestanding acute care hospitals of its kind in the nation. The only hospital in Alabama dedicated solely to the care and treatment of children, it is licensed for 275 beds. Children’s is a private, not-for-profit hospital governed by a volunteer board of trustees. The hospital was recently recognized for the excellence of its nursing care by achieving Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Children’s will celebrate its centennial anniversary in 2011.
