Holiday parade makes its way through the halls of Prisma Health Children’s Hospital

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Prisma Health Children’s Hospital held its annual holiday parade this morning — bringing a little joy and cheer right to their patients’ rooms.

Decked out staff members made their way through the halls handing out games, books, and toys to the kids.

And whether staff dressed as Little Debbie Tree Cakes or the cast of the holiday film favorite “Home Alone,” they say it’s all to put a smile on the children’s’ faces.

Christy Fink is the Manager of Childlife and Special Programs at the hospital.

“It’s the doctors, it’s the nurses, it’s physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory — everybody comes together to make this possible. And they put a lot of hard work into their floats and prizes they give away to children. I think they enjoy it just as much as the children, and that’s really the purpose,” says Fink.

Mykala Williams says her daughter Ember is in the hospital with meningitis.

The parade, Williams says, makes their stay a little easier.

“It’s really good because it helps the kids be happy when they’re sick here in the hospital and helps them have something to look forward to so they aren’t just stuck in the room, and gets them full of joy and stuff and helps them get toys and stuff and keep them entertained while they’re here for their hospital stay. So it’s really nice,” Williams says.

According to Fink, a nurse manager thought up the holiday parade about 12 years ago, and it’s been going strong ever since.

“Seeing all the kids happy and getting toys and seeing Santa, that makes everybody happy, as you can see,” says Williams.

Fink says toys are donated by community partners and the hospital staff.