KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — For many families, spending the holidays inside a hospital can be neither festive nor merry. But, the East Tennessee Children's Hospital is working to bring cheer to families and smiles to patients who may need to spend the holidays in a hospital bed.
Hospital staff and volunteers dressed up as elves to deliver around 1,500 tiny trees to patients. Each was personally decorated with a different theme and when patients are discharged, they will be able to bring them home.
"From Barbie to Cars, I even saw one that was craft-themed. So, the kid gets the tree and then gets to create craft ornaments," said Natalia Havasy, director of the East Tennessee Children's Hospital. "To walk in the room and see their faces light up after they have been here for something that isn't all that fun, it's really beautiful to see them get some joy on their face."
The tiny tree distribution is an annual holiday event at the children's hospital, with staff members and community volunteers organizing to help make sure all families can find cheer during the holidays no matter where they are.
"I got a tree with a bunch of lights on it, and then I decorated it with paper money and my mommy hung it up," said Miracle Andeh, a 5-year-old patient at the children's hospital. "I'm super strong, I can do this. I'm miraculous."