Mia Wright, 11, and other patients at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt recently created ornaments for the National Christmas Tree display in Washington, D.C. (Lauren Owens)
Children’s Hospital patients craft ornaments for national tree display
Mia Wright, 11, wants the nation to know how she feels about the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt.
Mia inscribed her thoughts on a piece of paper that will adorn one of 24 holiday ornaments for a special tree lighting ceremony in the nation’s capital.
“The Children’s Hospital is a great place to be where doctors and nurses help you feel better,” she wrote.
Children’s Hospital was selected to design ornaments to represent Tennessee at the 2011 National Christmas Tree display in President’s Park in Washington, D.C. The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held Thursday, Dec. 1, at 5 p.m.
“We are extremely honored to represent the state as part of this year’s National Christmas Tree display,” said Luke Gregory, chief executive officer for Children's Hospital. “Not only did the patients have a wonderful time designing the ornaments, but art is also used throughout Children's Hospital as an outlet for expression and healing. Each unique ornament represents the strength and creativity of our patients, and it will be a thrill to see their artwork displayed in President’s Park.”
Twenty-three of the patient-decorated ornaments, showcasing the Children’s Hospital paper dolls, will represent Tennessee on the tree.
One ornament will adorn the White House Visitor Center Christmas tree, which showcases one ornament each from all 50 states, five territories and the District of Columbia.
The holiday decorating project inspired more than a dozen patients, including Wright, to venture outside their hospital rooms.
The ornaments created by Children’s Hospital patients will represent Tennessee at the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 1. (photo by Lauren Owens)
“She hadn’t come to the activity center. But when she heard White House and Obama she said, ‘Yeah,’” explained Mia’s mother, Nicole Wright.
“I think it’s awesome (that Children’s Hospital was selected to represent the state). We live in Memphis but drive to Children’s Hospital because we know we get the best care here.”
The National Tree Lighting began on Christmas Eve 1923 under President Calvin Coolidge.
Each succeeding president has carried on the tradition, which is hosted by the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation.
The tree lighting can be viewed live online at http://www.thenationaltree.org/tree-lighting/.