10,000 Hugs to Help

Posted: July 27, 2011 -- 8:05am CDT.

The Houston Rockets 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 ToyotaCenter. The tip-off event is open to the public and donations will be accepted on site.

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 MemorialHermannHospital 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.

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