TEMPLE, Texas — It's the season of giving at Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's Medical Center as the hospital hosted a holiday party for patients and their families on Tuesday, Dec. 19.
Two local organizations, L4 Cares and Beautifully Loved, sponsored the event, receiving donations from corporations including Nike and Walmart to put the event together.
There were hundreds of gifts at the event including hats, books, toys, and more.
Elves and other special characters like Spiderman could be found around the party to spark the holiday spirit. Emotional support dogs were also there to support patients and their families.
"If just even for a moment, just to get their minds off of what's going on and what's happening is really is amazing," L4 Cares Founder Kendra Cofer explained. "Even the doctors and nurses and staff just love when we're marching through the hallway with the characters, so it's very important to us."
There was about 20 patients and families who stopped by the party to and pick up some special treats.
"I got Fortnite toys, a headband, a beanie, some headphones, and a bunch of other things," Hospital patient Amari Calloway mentioned.
Her mother, Secret Brown, says the staff at the hospital have been nothing short of supportive and kind to her and her daughter during her stay.
Giving patients a chance to step away from what they're enduring and just letting them be kids is what the hospital and Beautifully Loved Intern Emily Castillo says they always strives to do.
"The kids are cooped up in their rooms all day and rarely ever get to leave the hospital," Castillo explained. "Getting to see other kids that are shopping and getting to see outside faces and then get amazing presents. It's really important."
The rest of the leftover books and toys will be donated to the hospital so patients can access them year round.