Photos: BankPlus Light A Light shines in new location
Published on Wednesday, December 6, 2017
With construction of a new children’s tower starting soon, a holiday tradition moved from the front of Batson Children's Hospital to the Rainbow Garden. At the Friends of Children's Hospital fundraiser, Mississippi First Lady Deborah Bryant and patient K.J. Fields lit a 13-foot Christmas tree and, inside the Wiser cafeteria, Ballet Mississippi dancers treated patients, families and volunteers to a performance of scenes from “The Nutcracker.”
The Rainbow Garden between Batson Children's Hospital and the Winfred L. Wiser Hospital for Women and Infants is aglow for the season with reindeer, a Christmas tree and other holiday decorations.
Batson Children's Hospital patient K.J. Fields gets a handshake from Mississippi First Lady Deborah Bryant. The two shared the honor of lighting the hospital's Christmas tree during the Light a Light event.
Tara Cummins of Kosciusko holds her daughter, Journey, who is excitedly awaits the Christmas tree at the Rainbow Garden to be lit.
Melanie Christopher of WJTV interviews Jill Dale, Friends of Children's Hospital board member, before the start of the Friends of Children's Hospital's oldest fundraiser.
David Dale holds daughter, Stella Grace.
Children, families, Friends of Children's Hospital volunteers and Children's of Mississippi employees enjoy the event, which unofficially starts the holiday season at UMMC.
WJTV's Melanie Christopher announces the lighting of the Batson Children's Hospital Christmas tree.
Emma Butler of Ballet Mississippi performs as a girl doll during a scene from The Nutcracker. Looking on is dancer Wilton McDowell, performing in the role of a soldier doll.
Wilton McDowell of Ballet Mississippi dances in the role of a soldier doll in the troupe's presentation of scenes from The Nutcracker.
Chole Butler of Ballet Mississippi performs in the role of the Mouse King.
Chole Butler, the Mouse King, and Wilton McDowell, the Nutcracker, battle during a scene from the traditional holiday ballet presented by Ballet Mississippi.
Kimberly Blount of Ballet Mississippi performs in the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Tiffany Key, child life specialist, and Children's Hospital patient Rico Jones Jr. of Canton enjoy the reception following the tree-lighting ceremony.
Kelly Scrivner snaps a photo of Mississippi First Lady Deborah Bryant and Batson Children's Hospital patient K.J. Fields, who lit the hospital's Christmas tree.
Frances Claire Jackson, left, and Faith Merkh of Ballet Mississippi appear as Marie in The Nutcracker.