Kaulig Racing brings joy to Akron Children’s Hospital patients

Kaulig Giving and the NASCAR Foundation teamed up once again for the ninth annual Speedy Bear Brigade.

AKRON, Ohio — It was all smiles at Akron Children’s Hospital on Tuesday, Sept. 9, as Kaulig Racing teamed up with the NASCAR Foundation and Kaulig Giving to celebrate National Teddy Bear Day with the hospital’s young patients.

Drivers AJ Allmendinger and Ty Dillon joined Kaulig Companies Founder and 3News Contributor Matt Kaulig, team president Chris Rice, and representatives from the NASCAR Foundation and Kaulig Giving to deliver teddy bears as part of the Speedy Bear Brigade — a nationwide effort providing comfort to children in hospitals across the country.

“Every single one of these kids does not want to be here. I guarantee you,” said Matt Kaulig. “So to see them smile when they get a teddy bear, it’s really special.”

The event included a $10,000 donation to Akron Children’s from Kaulig Giving, along with the organization pledging a total of $25,000 to the NASCAR Foundation this year to support the teddy bear program.

For drivers like Allmendinger, the impact was personal.

“The hospital is the last place any child wants to be,” he said. “To see the joy on their faces when you hand them a teddy bear, it puts joy on our faces too.”

“We’re supposed to be the stars of the show, but the kids are the real stars,” he added. “They brighten our day more than we can ever do for them.”

The NASCAR Foundation’s Speedy Bear Brigade is now in its ninth year, delivering bears to more than 135 hospitals nationwide. NASCAR Foundation Executive Director Nichole Krieger says the mission is simple.

“If we can just bring one smile with a teddy bear, it’s worth it.”

Families like that of Evie, an Akron Children’s Miracle Network ambassador, say the program makes a difference.

“If little kids get hurt or they’re going through tough times, a teddy bear can light up their day,” Evie told 3News cameras.

Stacey Langal of Kaulig Giving called the effort one of their most meaningful community partnerships.

“It brings together two of our most important nonprofit partners: the NASCAR Foundation and Akron Children’s Hospital,” Langal said. “We love supporting both.”

For those wanting to get involved, donations can be made at NASCARfoundation.org, where supporters can give $25 to send a teddy bear — along with a personal note — to a child in need.

“Nothing beats watching these kids smile,” Chris Rice said. “It never gets old.”