Light Up the Season
As the sun set, a festive crowd embraced the cool weather to revel in flipping the switch to "Light Up the Season" at Manning Family Children's hospital Uptown.
Delta Festival Ballet performed holiday-themed vignettes while excited children and parents, along with hospital staff, savored free hot coffee and cocoa complements of PJ's Coffee—some with whipped cream moustaches to show for their efforts.
As the final rays of the sun disappeared, 2-year-old Jewels Tanksley—a Children's patient who was one-pound premature infant at birth—and her family flipped the oversized light switch that sent thousands of lights in and around the green space ablaze. A team of first responders on site flashed their vehicle lights simultaneously. Beyond brightly-lit oak trees, other illuminations included glowing animals, colorful lights shining on the hospital, and a Santa with his eight reindeer atop the main building.
The children were also excited to discover Santa himself made an appearance next to his sleigh. The famously photo-shy Saint Nicholas came down to join the crowd for pictures and to hear wish lists.
Inside, WWL sports radio was hosting their fifth annual radiothon to benefit the Manning Family Children's hospital featuring a panel that included Bobby Hebert, Deuce McAllister, Mike Dettilier, Steve Geller, and, of course, Archie Manning. The goal was to surpass the $157,000 raised the previous year to help ensure the care provided remains open and free to any children in the region requiring treatment at the Uptown facility, as well as their 30 satellite locations.
