People Gather Outside This Children's Hospital with Lights Every Night in December
During the darker months of the year, it’s often comforting to be surrounded by lights, especially amidst the holiday season.
Families load up in their vehicles and drive around their neighborhoods, taking in the twinkling glimmer.
But for children stuck inside a hospital, December might seem like any other month. Thankfully, many children’s hospitals find ways to make this time extra special for their patients.
Toy drives and fundraisers help make Christmas inside hospital walls possible. But even then it can be hard for children who are often confined to a small area.
This is why Beaumont Children’s Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan, hosts “Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams” in December.
The program was created by Beaumont Children’s Pediatric Family Advisory Council. According to the hospital’s website, 2018 marks the second annual month-long event.
“Many children are unable to leave their rooms and can feel isolated in the hospital as the rest of the world continues without them,” Kathleen Grobbel, supervisor for Beaumont Children’s Child Life, explained.
She went on to note, “With the help of the community, we can make sure they go to bed with smiles on their faces.”
What an amazing event. #MoonbeamsForSweetDreams at Royal Oak @BeaumontHealth . Hope our lights made those kids in the hospital happy and smiley, if even for just a bit. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/BIasZbAQor
— Krista Harmsworth (@zonie71) December 15, 2018
And those smiles are lighting up the night each and every night in December. With flashlights in hand, patients and community participants are able to connect in a special way.
“At 8 p.m. every evening in December,” the hospital’s website reads, “pediatric patients will shine flashlights from the hospital windows and look for community members standing outside the hospital to flash them back.”
The event is truly something to behold. According to Fox 2 Detroit, an estimated 200 community members participate every night.
Weather can’t hold back those dedicated to the cause, either. Fox 2 reported crowds have grown to 350 people, snowstorm or not.
“I don’t know who gets more out of this, the kids or us,” participant Kyle Smalley told Fox 2. The joy on everyone’s faces is undeniable.
If you are in the area and are interested in participating in “Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams” there is still room to sign up.
Visit the hospital’s website to fill out a sign-up form and to find out more information on which evenings are in need of more moonbeams.
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