Our longest-running fundraiser and a special event for Children’s of Mississippi patients, Light-A-Light Presented by BankPlus was a wonderful night! On Tuesday, December 3rd, friends, patients, and their families gathered in front of Sanderson Tower bundled up and ready to light the tree. Santa and Mrs. Clause took a seat on their Christmas thrones to watch the program, but not before posing for photos with a few patients.

Speakers for the event included: Kristin Allen, Chairman of the Friends of Children’s Hospital Board; Dr. Mary B. Taylor, Suzan B. Thames Chair in Pediatrics; and Johnny Donaldson, Executive Vice President & Chief Culture Officer ​​President ‑ Jackson. The newest addition to the Children’s of Mississippi Child Life Team and the hospital’s facility dog, Hollywood, lit the tree with his handler and the manager of the Child Life program, Cara Williams. Executive Director of Friends of Children’s Hospital, Caitlin Foreman, introduced and welcomed Ballet Mississippi, who concluded our program with their performance of The Nutcracker.

Guests enjoyed refreshments including piping apple cider and hot chocolate, cake pops, cookies, and savory snacks. Singers from The Mississippi Chorus serenaded the crowd with beautiful Christmas songs. It was a beautiful night to kick off the Christmas season at Children’s of Mississippi.