Tyler Hubbard, First Responders Children’s Foundation, and leading global toy company Mattel teamed up this week to deliver 2,000 toys to children undergoing treatment at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville, the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital®.
The toys arrived at the hospital via fire truck, police car, and ambulance — in true first responder style — and were personally delivered to children by Hubbard. The EMI Records recording artist was joined by Jillian Crane, President and CEO of First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF), a national organization that assists the children and families of first responders across America. FRCF delivers hundreds of thousands of holiday toys to children around the nation each year as part of its “Toy Express” initiative.
“First Responders Children’s Foundation is enormously grateful to Tyler Hubbard, Mattel, Universal Music Group Nashville, the Vanderbilt University Police Department, Nashville Fire Department and everyone at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals for joining together for this truly special day,” Ms. Crane said. “Working hand-in-hand with Nashville’s first responder community to see a sparkle in the eyes of these brave young children is the greatest holiday gift imaginable; their laughter and smiles will long be remembered by everyone lucky enough to be at this event.”
Hubbard volunteered to participate in the toy delivery in the spirit of expanding his role with the wildly popular Parade of Trees charitable holiday initiative which is a collaboration with his record label, Universal Music Group Nashville and Gaylord Opryland Resort, to benefit the First Responders Children’s Foundation. In addition to Hubbard, the initiative features country artists including Grand Ole Opry members Alan Jackson, Keith Urban, Little Big Town and Reba McEntire, along with George Strait, Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis, Kacey Musgraves, Luke Bryan, Maddie & Tae and Sam Hunt. Each artist has decorated a tree specifically to their style or album, with the trees on display at Gaylord Opryland Resort now through January 5, 2023, as a self-guided tour. Along with their trees, country music’s biggest stars have each donated “Once in a Lifetime” VIP experiences (fly-aways, VIP concert experiences, exclusive merchandise and more) all to benefit First Responders Children’s Foundation, which are available now through January 10, 2023 at www.CharityStars.com/ParadeOfTrees. Proceeds raised will provide scholarships and mental health services to children who have lost a parent in the line of duty.
“We are thrilled to welcome local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, to the Parade of Trees family,” said Dawn Gates, Senior Vice President at Universal Music Group Nashville. “And we are especially grateful to Tyler, First Responders Children’s Foundation and Mattel for generously making this toy-delivery happen for the children. Their smiling faces when they received their toys are what the holiday season is all about.”
Following the Hospital toy delivery, the caravan moved on to the hospital’s Seacrest Studio where Hubbard played several songs for children and their families who also received holiday toys.
“It’s always an honor to visit the kids at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt,” says Hubbard. “Thanks to Mattel and First Responders Children’s Foundation for making this happen for the kids. Spending time with the kids was so special, and I hope we brought some joy to these families this holiday season. This is truly what the holidays are all about.”
“The Mattel Children’s Foundation is thrilled to once again partner with the First Responders Children’s Foundation for their amazing holiday Toy Express as part of our Play it Forward holiday giving,” remarked Nancy Molenda, Executive Director of Mattel Children’s Foundation. “Even more so, we’re excited that they asked us to donate over 2,000 toys to the incredible Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt to bring the gift of play to these deserving children this holiday season.”
“We are incredibly appreciative of Tyler Hubbard, First Responders Children’s Foundation, Universal Music Group Nashville and Gaylord Opryland Resort for their generosity and support of Monroe Carell during the holiday season,” said Meg Rush, MD, MMHC, President of Monroe Carell. “The giving spirit of all involved is what makes our Nashville community such a special place and will go a long way to brighten a hospital stay for many children and families.”
