NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt continued its "Night Lights" tradition Tuesday night. A drone show lit up the sky and a parade of emergency vehicles lit up the streets of downtown Nashville for the children undergoing treatment and workers at the hospital.
The drone show began at 5: 45 p.m. displaying encouraging messages and holiday images like a snowman and Christmas tree across the Nashville sky for the children to see. Patients in the hospital were able to watch the show safely on monitors in their rooms.
Shortly after, at 6 p.m. emergency vehicles and hospital workers took to the streets surrounding the hospital for a parade for workers and children to see from their windows. Many came to their windows to see the activity on the street below.
"It was sweet to see all the kids waiting to see us and it was fun to do something for them ," said Staci Eagleton, a Registered Nurse and member of the Neonatal and Pediatric Transport Team. "These are kids in the hospital right before the holiday season."
Buildings in downtown Nashville including Bridgestone Arena, the Historic Metro Courthouse and the Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge were lit up in primary colors to show the city's support for the hospital.
The event aims to bring attention to the hospital and the many families who will be spending the holidays with their children in their hospital rooms. While the event was virtual due to the pandemic, officials say the gesture of support from the community still means a lot.
"To serve the children is a privilege," said Dr. Meg Rush, President of Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. "We are embraced by so many in our community, and we are grateful for that."
Donations can be made to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt here.
