Photos: From Beads to Big Smiles, St. Paddy’s Celebrations Support Children’s of Mississippi
Green filled the streets and hospital alike as the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day brought joy to patients and purpose to the community. From the festive Petite Parade at Children’s of Mississippi to City Sweep leading into the Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade, supporters showed up in full force collecting beads, raising funds and spreading cheer all to benefit the state’s only children’s hospital.
Frances Croft, manager-community and annual giving at UMMC, collects a donation from Samanda Summers at City Sweep benefitting the children's hospital.
Kalia Evans, 17, of Learned, partakes in the St. Patty's themed cheer with her dad Jonathan Evans as members of the Nugget League of Mayhem krewe, from left, Sophie McNeil Wolf, Miriam Bond and Jane Jones celebrate during the 2026 Petite Parade at the children's hospital.
First Lady of Mississippi Elee Reeves and Shelby Wilcher give an America 250 coloring book to Spencer Whisenant, 8, of Gulfport.
The 2026 City Sweep volunteers gear up to walk the Hal's St. Paddy's parade route to collect donations for beads benefitting the children's hospital.
Krewe O’Tux member Karen Gilder gives a prize to Robert Whisenant, 8, of Gulfport at the Petite Parade at the children's hospital.
Brad Ewing, director-development schools at UMMC, collects a donation from Charles Lewis at City Sweep benefitting the children's hospital.
Malla Powell, 4, of Jackson partakes in the fun with her mom Angelica May and Nadia Radowick with Nugget League of Mayhem krewe at the 2026 Petite Parade at the children's hospital.
Olivia Aldrich, child life manager at Children's of Mississippi, introduces Riggins Greer of Canton to Hollywood at the Petite Parade for St. Patrick's Day.
L.A. Warren, communications specialist at UMMC, hands out beads with Cole Smith, 'Mayor of Children's', at City Sweep benefitting the children's hospital.
Jireh Bryant, 4, of Jackson and his mom Candice Bryant receive prizes from Sandy Quinn and Melody Moody Thortis with the Community Foundation of Mississippi at the 2026 Petite Parade at the children's hospital.
Malla partakes in the fun with her mom Angelica May and members of the TELL Agency, from left, Erin McKewen, Brennan Hight and Abi-Leigh Doss at the 2026 Petite Parade at the children's hospital.
Briley Carson and Morgan Hightower, development specialist at UMMC, lead the way with a banner promoting City Sweep benefitting the state's only children's hospital.
Braedon Bell, 6 months, of Conehatta, and his mom Shenita Bell receive an America 250 coloring book from Reeves and Wilcher at the 2026 Petite Parade at the children's hospital.
Peter Massey, 5, of Pearl receives a prize at the 2026 Petite Parade at the children's hospital.
Jireh with his mom Candice Bryant, gets beads from McNeil Wolf with the NLM krewe at the 2026 Petite Parade at the children's hospital.
Ewing lets Magnolia Parkinson choose what color beads she wears at City Sweep benefitting the children's hospital.
Ryleigh Powell, 3, of Jackson spins the wheel of prizes as Claire Jungling, Quinn and Thortis with the Community Foundation for Mississippi look on during the 2026 Petite Parade at the children's hospital.