Shriners Hospitals For Children To Participate In 129th Rose Parade Presented By Honda

PASADENA, Calif., Dec. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- For the eighth consecutive year, Shriners Hospitals for Children® will participate in the 129th Rose Parade presented by Honda. Eight representatives will ride on the 2018 float entitled Caring for Kids Around the World. The float theme showcases in a playful and entertaining way how Shriners Hospitals for Children is making a difference beyond its hospitals' doors and into the future.

Commander Fezzy(TM)--an oversized, lovable teddy bear making his sixth appearance on the Shriners Hospitals for Children float design--is at the center of the mission to care for children who are in need of specialized, state-of-the-art, compassionate medical care. He is joined by the number one Shriner in the world, Imperial Potentate Gary Bergenske, and his wife, Anne; Trustee Peter Diaz and his wife, Vicky; along with a trusted space crew of four patient ambassadors: Alec, Emily, Isabella and Kechi (2017 America's Got Talent finalist.)

This year's Rose Parade theme is "Making a Difference." The inspiring stories of the four patient ambassadors clearly show the difference Shriners Hospitals for Children makes every day through care, medical education and research. Kechi, although badly burned in a plane crash, found the strength and confidence to make it to the finals of a televised talent contest watched by millions. Alec is so grateful to Shriners Hospitals for Children for "changing his life forever" that he has become a fervent and enthusiastic spokesperson. Emily established a foundation and raised thousands of dollars for Shriners Hospitals for Children. And Isabella, whose speech was once very difficult to understand, is now an accomplished singer.

The Shriners Hospitals for Children float will be on display for pre-judging and float riders will be available for media interviews starting at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017 at Phoenix Decorating Company (Rose Float Plaza South, 5400 Irwindale Ave., Irwindale, CA 91706).

Shriners Hospitals for Children is changing lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care, world-class research and outstanding medical education. The 22 hospitals in the United States, Canada and Mexico provide advanced care for children with orthopedic 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. To learn more about Shriners Hospitals for Children, please visit shrinershospitalsforchildren.org.

SOURCE Shriners Hospitals for Children