Rascal Flatts Lend Name to Nashville Children’s Hospital

Rascal Flatts were honored by the Monroe Carell Children's Hospital in Nashville Friday morning (October 29) for their continuing support. Over the past six years, the trio have donated more than $3 million to the hospital, which has named their Pediatric Surgery Center after the group. The Rascal Flatts Surgery Center, which will include a new specialized radiology suite, will house all of the hospital's existing and new surgical programs.

"Our intent from day one was just to try to raise some money and create more awareness for this wonderful hospital. It's turned out to be a journey that I don't think we've ever dreamed would come this far," says Rascal Flatts' guitarist Joe Don Rooney. "I know, as a parent myself now, that if anything was to happen to my children, they'd be in great hands at this wonderful, wonderful hospital ... Through all this, we've learned a great deal about ourselves and family and about just how important it is to love our kids and just be proud supporters."

"It's a magical place. It's a feeling when you walk in is a feeling that doesn't leave you for the entire day," says lead singer Gary LeVox. "The kids that we've met here have changed our lives forever. We're humbled and we're blessed and just so thankful to be a part of something so great in our community."

"As I look back over the last 10 years we've been together as Rascal Flatts, this is the thing that I'm most proud of that we've been able to do -- our affiliation with this hospital," adds bassist Jay DeMarcus.

"The Flatts have given their money, they come by to see our children, but [addressing the group] you're different. You're a part of who we are, you make us real, you make us better every time you're here," says Dr. John W. Brock, chief of surgery at the children's hospital. "Through your incredible generosity, we will, through you, be able to, every day, save someone's life."

In appreciation of the band's generosity, the doctor presented Rascal Flatts with a plaque bearing the tricks of his trade, a pair of surgical scissors. More than 12,700 children undergo surgery at the hospital each year.

The guys also hosted a Halloween party, complete with an intimate performance for patients and their families, as well as visiting several of the children room-to-room to deliver Halloween treats, in a sort of a reverse form of trick-or-treating.

Rascal Flatts, who are climbing the country charts with their latest single 'Why Wait,' hit stores with their new album, 'Nothing Like This,' on November 16.