Houston Rockets Plan To Help Berry Children July 26, 2011

 (news release)

Houston Rockets Launch

“10,000 Hugs-to-Help” Campaign

 

Team to Raise Funds for the Joshua and Robin Berry Children’s Trust

 

HOUSTON – The Houston Rockets today announced the launch of a fundraising campaign to assist the three surviving children of Houston residents Joshua and Robin Berry who were killed in a tragic automobile accident on July 2, 2011. 

 

The campaign, which has been tabbed “10,000 Hugs-to-Help,” will offer Houstonians the opportunity to join fundraising efforts by making monetary donations for the chance to get a hug from Clutch, the team’s lovable mascot, at a variety of events planned around the Houston community in the coming weeks.  Rockets Chief Executive Officer Tad Brown will join Head Coach Kevin McHale as the first donors to receive hugs at the campaign tip-off event scheduled for Wednesday, July 27 at 2:00 p.m. at the main entrance of Toyota Center.  The tip-off event is open to the public and donations will be accepted on site.   

 

“This is truly a heartbreaking situation that has left three beautiful children of our community without their parents,” said Rockets Owner Leslie Alexander.  “Our entire Houston Rockets organization sends condolences to the Berry family for the tragic loss of Joshua and Robin.  We are committed to assisting the various fundraising efforts that continue to be planned around our community in order to help provide Peter, Aaron and Willa with the support they will need in order to overcome the physical pain and devastating emotional trauma they have suffered.”

 

Joshua and Robin Berry were killed in an automobile accident near Lubbock, TX on July 2, 2011 on their way back from a family vacation in Colorado.  The accident resulted in spinal cord injuries to their two sons Peter, 9, and Aaron, 8, and also injured their daughter, Willa, 6.  Peter and Aaron have been receiving treatment for spinal cord injuries at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston since July 6. Willa received treatment for a broken arm and ankle and is now living with her aunt and uncle who have been appointed as the children’s guardians.

 

All proceeds collected during the campaign will be donated to the Joshua and Robin Berry Children’s Trust fund that has been established by the family.  Organizations or individuals interested in scheduling Clutch to make an appearance as part of the “10,000 Hugs-to-Help” campaign are asked to visit www.Rockets.com for more information.  A complete and updated listing of Clutch’s “10,000 Hugs-to-Help” tour stops is also available at www.Rockets.com. 

 

 

Clutch’s 10,000 Hugs-to-Help Tour Stops:

 

DATE      EVENT                                                                                                                                                    CLUTCH APPEARANCE

TIME

July 27                  

-Toyota Center Tip-Off Event w/ Rockets CEO Tad Brown and Head Coach Kevin McHale                2:00 p.m.

July 28                  

-Baubles for Berrys (I.W. Marks Jewelers–3841 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, TX 77025)                           6:00 p.m.

-Rockets Open House (Toyota Center)                                                                                                          7:15 p.m.

July 31

                -Bounce-for-the-Berrys (two Houston-area Pump-It-Up locations)

                   6030 S Rice Avenue, Houston, TX 77081                                                                           9:30 a.m.

                   923 South Mason Road, Katy, TX 77450                                                                                                     11:00 a.m.

Aug. 21

-Berry Softball/Kickball Tournament (Houston Sportsplex, 12300 S. Main, Houston, TX)                    TBA

                       

**Additional tour stops will be listed on Rockets.com as they are scheduled.