Spreading joy inside our walls and beyond

“Do your little bit of good where you are; it is those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”— Desmond Tutu

At Prisma Health, we understand that no one gets through this life alone. We all need community, and being in the hospital over the holidays can be hard.

Whether it’s purchasing gifts, providing a bit of Santa’s cheer, hosting musical events for patients and visitors, making gift bags or holding holiday markets, team members in every hospital in the system come together to make the holidays bright for our patients. Our team members stand by our patients. Because we’re not just here to heal. We’re here for good. 

As Justin Benfield, CEO of Hillcrest and Laurens County hospitals, said, “The holiday season is a time to gather, celebrate and reflect on gratitude. Unfortunately, some of our community members cannot celebrate with others due to health circumstances. We want our patients to know the Prisma Health family is here with them by offering a small piece of joy through compassion and giving.” 

Our team members also spread that joy into the larger community, volunteering at Santa’s Village at Wild Lights at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, the Shandon Turkey Trot & Burn, Junior League of Columbia’s Holiday Market, Ice on Main and Vista Lights, and as department teams helping out at local food banks, gathering toys for children and ringing the Salvation Army bell.

The most widely known to the public and a community favorite are our Good Night Lights events at Oconee Memorial and our Children’s Hospitals in Columbia and Greenville, where team members, families, friends and first responders light up the night for our patients. They gather to shine flashlights or blink car lights toward patient windows, sending well wishes and holiday cheer as patients “answer back” with their own flashlights.

Here are just a few of the ways our hospitals support our patients and families throughout the holidays:

Blount Memorial Hospital offers a Sensory Santa event for kids who might not otherwise feel comfortable going to see Santa in a crowded social environment. In addition, some team members dress up as Santa Claus/Mrs. Claus and deliver presents on Christmas Day, and there’s a Mitten Tree in the Emergency Department for those who need warm gloves in the winter.

At Laurens County and Hillcrest hospitals, team members contribute to a fund used to purchase gifts for patients and deliver them on Christmas Eve. “Sometimes, they are overcome with emotion as it may be the only visit or gift they receive during that time,” Benfield said. Last year the gift bags contained items such as blankets, lip balm, lotions, adult coloring books and colored pencils.

Greenville Memorial Hospital offers team members the opportunity to take part in a holiday food drive benefiting Loaves & Fishes and Harvest Hope Food Bank. Local musicians are invited to perform festive music in the lobby, bringing cheer to patients and visitors. Child Life specialists also host the ACE Christmas Tree Farm, where children can choose a small tree to decorate and take a photo with Santa, creating a joyful holiday moment during their stay.

The Richland Hospital campus offers a holiday market for parents unable to shop for gifts for their children who are hospitalized and their siblings. Community and team members donate the items, Child Life specialists set up Santa’s workshop and even include a wrapping station. Parents are given tickets and use them to “purchase” items for their kids, and Child Life delivers the gifts on Christmas.

Tuomey Hospital team members adopt a Salvation Army Angel Child, conduct a Food Drive for United Ministries, hold a Coat Drive, ring the Salvation Army bell, march in Sumter’s annual Christmas Parade, deliver Thanksgiving and Christmas cards to all the patients, and spread a little of Santa’s joy to co-workers with carts loaded with goodies.

Greer Memorial Hospital team members donate items such as socks, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo and lip balm to distribute to patients in need.

At Baptist Hospital, in addition to other holiday-inspired activities, the NICU team decorates miniature Christmas trees for the families of NICU babies, and Santa pays a visit to the babies and their families.

Baptist Parkridge Hospital holds a food drive, with items this year going to Sharing God’s Love in Irmo and a local Harvest Hope Food Bank, collects toys for the Children’s Hospital market, and encourages volunteers to come play Christmas music on the pianos for everyone to enjoy.

For 24 years, the entire Patewood Hospital campus, as well as off-campus sites such as The Hand Center, Home Health and Steadman Hawkins, has contributed hundreds of gifts each Christmas for pediatric patients and their siblings through their Angel Tree program.

Oconee Memorial Hospital focuses on pediatrics and socially complex patients with extended stays, providing gifts during the holidays. The hospital also supports the community through food, toy and coat drives.

Baptist Easley Hospital supports the community through initiatives such as food drives for local food banks, toy drives and partnering with Meals on Wheels to help provide nutritious meals to those who need them most.