MEDIA ALERT: Holiday happenings bring cheer to hospitalized children at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital–Midlands

Editor’s Note: This is a media invitation to cover these events. Please do not share with community. Due to patient privacy law, news media are required to have an escort inside any Prisma Health–Midlands facility, so please let us know if you plan to attend.

Thursday, Dec. 5, 2 p.m.: “Operation Santa”
Led by Prisma Health Children’s Hospital–Midlands through a partnership with the Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative (MCEC), Operation Santa spreads holiday cheer and gives hospitalized children a chance to pick out Christmas presents for their loved ones.

Sunday, Dec. 8, 5:45 p.m.: Good Night Lights
For the first time at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital–Midlands, first responders, team members and USC Dance Marathon members will join together in front of the hospital to light up the night – and the hearts of hospitalized children when Prisma Health–Midlands brings Good Night Lights to Columbia.

At 6 p.m., flashlights, glow sticks, cellphone lights and first responders including ambulance and police car lights will shine forth from in front of Prisma Health Children’s Hospital–Midlands, with patients and families answering from the fourth floor of Children’s Hospital. Hospitalized children will be provided flashlights.

The event will signify a community united in support for all the children in the hospital, and follows the example set by Hasboro Children’s Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island, whose tradition of Good Night Lights has been nationally recognized for years.

A similar event also will be held that Sunday in Greenville at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital–Upstate.

Tuesday, Dec. 17, 10 a.m.–Noon: Holiday Parade
The Children’s Hospital Child Life department hosts an annual holiday parade. Hospital beds and wagons will be transformed into festive floats to parade through the hospital. Children receive games, books and toys, donated by community partners, such as the Ronald McDonald House Charities. The parade lasts about an hour and features pet therapy dogs in costumes.

Holiday Market: Friday, Dec. 22, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. and 3–6 p.m.
This event offers a personalized way for families of hospitalized children to select gifts. The Child Life department has been acquiring donations all year and they will set up a “store” in the Derrick Room. Each family receives an allotment of tickets to “spend” on gifts. Gift wrapping services will be provided. Location: Warren Derrick Classroom, first floor.

Tuesday, Dec. 24, 10 a.m.: A visit from Santa and his elves
Columbia firefighter Chris Branham, father of former Prisma Health Children’s Hospital–Midlands patient, Rachael Branham, brings a ladder truck to the front of the hospital to surprise children and families. Santa and his elves visit the floors and help deliver gifts that were selected by the families during the Holiday Market.