Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus Brightens Patients’ Holiday Season with Annual Christmas Tree Lighting

12/08/2021

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HOUSTON, TX (Dec. 8, 2021) — Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus flipped the switch on 2000 lights adorning its 18-foot-tall Christmas tree this week, kicking off the holidays to ensure patients and families can feel the holiday spirit even if away from home

Unlike years past where children and staff gathered around the tree outside the hospital, COVID-19 restrictions required patients to watch from inside. Children lined the windows on the fifth floor of the hospital hoping for a chance to get a glimpse of the tree and Santa Claus, who performed the honors. Everyone inside and out enjoyed Christmas music and the special feeling of the season, as the lights of the tree momentarily outshined the patient’s health-related concerns.

“Everyone has had a rough year, especially these children,” said Binta Baudy, Assistant Vice President at Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus. “They’ve been in their rooms and this tree lighting gives them an opportunity to get out and see something magical happen. This event was a great way to launch the holiday season.”

The children received a special stocking full of goodies to take back to their rooms following the tree lighting. But that won’t be the only surprise they receive this year. A number of individuals and organizations have already donated, or pledged to donate, thousands of dollars in toys and other gifts to brighten the hospital stays for these young patients.

Top annual donors to Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus include Petsmart, Marine Corps, Katy Lions Club, Body Balance Foundation, and the Toys Fore Kids golf tournament with Dr. Shawn Taher and family.

This year, Santa has pledged to deliver more than $5,000 worth of gifts for patients. “I want to show everyone that COVID-19 will not ruin Christmas for the kids or us,” “Santa” Shawn Apperson said. He has worked for HVAC companies repairing the hospital’s heating and cooling systems for years. He spent months collecting donations from local businesses and individuals to make sure Christmas is special for children while they are hospitalized. Those gifts were purchased with donations from several sponsors, including Optimal Air Solutions LLC, The Ark Church Conroe, and Proof Positive Production.

To download video of the tree lighting, click here.

To learn more about Texas Children’s Hospital, visit www.texaschildrens.org.

About Texas Children’s Hospital

Texas Children’s Hospital, a not-for-profit health care organization, is committed to creating a healthier future for children and women throughout the global community by leading in patient care, education and research. Consistently ranked as the best children’s hospital in Texas, and among the top in the nation, Texas Children’s has garnered widespread recognition for its expertise and breakthroughs in pediatric and women’s health. The hospital includes the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute; the Feigin Tower for pediatric research; Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; and Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, the first hospital devoted to children’s care for communities north of Houston. The organization also created Texas Children’s Health Plan, the nation’s first HMO for children; has the largest pediatric primary care network in the country, Texas Children’s Pediatrics; Texas Children’s Urgent Care clinics that specialize in after-hours care tailored specifically for children; and a global health program that’s channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children’s Hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. For more information, go to www.texaschildrens.org. Get the latest news by visiting the online newsroom and Twitter at twitter.com/texaschildrens.