The forecast calls for snow flurries at USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 1. That’s when a new, towering 45-foot tree will light up as a choir sings and at least one ice queen and her princess sister croon for the community. No matter what the temperature, the white stuff is set to fall softly over patients, their families and guests who gather to celebrate the wonder and joy of the season.
(Courtesy University of South Alabama)
“The staff at Children’s & Women’s strive to bring normalcy to hospital stays for patients and their families,” said Kim Thompson-Yates, who leads the Mapp Child & Family Life program at the hospital. “If they can’t leave to have pictures taken with Santa, we bring Santa to them. It might seem like a small thing, but to a family whose child has been hospitalized for weeks or months, it means a great deal.”
An expansive snow village is on display inside the hospital’s main lobby complete with a train that chugs through the winter wonderland. For weeks, volunteers and staff have been busy decorating spots throughout the hospital to bring cheer to patients, their families and visitors.
For the fifth year, Children’s & Women’s Hospital is partnering with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mobile and USA Mitchell Cancer Institute for Lights of Love. Parking for the Dec. 1 event will be available near the Mitchell Cancer Institute.
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