- April 8, 2026
Tyler Cooke and Samuel Shirley, of Ormond. Photo by Tanya Kays
Race car driver Tyler Cooke, Ellis Hygema of the Austin Hatcher Foundation, and Port Orange resident Clint Crouch and his son Dean Crouch. Photo by Tanya Kays
Samuel Shirley, of Ormond, and artist Roger Warrick. Photo by Tanya Kays
Loran Hygema, David Pawlik, Christina Neilsen, Ellis Hygema, Tyler Cooke, Roger Warrick, Donata and Egypt Hunter, and Samuel Shirley. Photo by Tanya Kays
Eleanor Patterson, of Daytona. Photo by Tanya Kays
Egypt Hunter, of Daytona, and family friend Destiny Holy, of Port Orange. Photo by Tanya Kays
Dean Crouch, of Port Orange, builds his pinewood race car. Photo by Tanya Kays
Christina Nielsen,Samuel Shirley, of Ormond, Egypt Hunter and Donata Hunte of Daytona and Tyler Cooke. Photo by Tanya Kays
The Austin Hatcher Foundation, along with race car drivers Christina Nielsen and Tyler Cooke, brought lots of fast-paced excitement to the pediatric ward of Halifax Hospital on Wednesday, Jan. 23.
The 15-year-long tradition brought smiles to the faces of the young patients and their parents. During their visit, the drivers and representatives from the foundation had fun with what they call diversionary therapy, which allows the patients to play and enjoy
some recreational time while staying at the hospital.
The children also created their own pinewood race cars and got the chance to race them with the pros.
