(Camden, New Jersey) — Cooper University Hospital is proud to announce that George Edwards and the Bumper “T” Caring Clowns, have been nominated for Governor Jon S. Corzine’s 2008 Volunteer Award in the Most Innovative category. For over 30 years, George Edwards, as Dr. Bumper “T”, has offered his wonderful spirit and gift of humor as a hospital volunteer. His presence had such a profound impact on the patients, family’s and staff he visited that in 2002, Bumper “T” Caring Clowns became incorporated as a not-for-profit organization. Shortly after, a training course was developed and by April of 2002, the first graduating class of 24 caring clowns set out to give their gift of humor and compassion. Since then, the Bumper “T” Caring Clowns has grown to over 110 “funnyboneologists” who volunteer in hospitals throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania.