Elves rappel down children's hospital to surprise patients

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  • Matthew Gomez
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A young patient spots Santa outside her window at AdventHealth for Children.

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A child and her mother find an elf outside their window at AdventHealth for Children
A child and her mother find an elf outside their window at AdventHealth for Children in Orlando.

When Santa Claus can’t find a chimney, he enlists his helpers to discover another way to share the Christmas spirit and excitement.

Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus made a special visit to AdventHealth for Children, and they brought a team of acrobatic elves with them to help patients celebrate the holiday season.

The annual Elf Rappel event featured Friends of the North Pole in the form of first responders from Orlando Fire Department and Orange County Fire Rescue Department. They brought fire trucks, tall ladders and rappelling gear to see children up close through the windows of AdventHealth for Children. Some of the children will remain hospitalized throughout the holidays.

This is the fifth year for an event that brings Christmas cheer and allows first responders to give back in a meaningful and heartfelt way to the youngest members of the community they serve.
“We know that these children and families are going through a lot here,” said Greg Hubbard, captain of special operations for Orange County Fire Rescue. “Myself, and the group of elves behind me, we look forward to this every single year. We actually train for this year-round.

“Being able to put a smile on a kid’s face during the holiday season makes us recognize we have it a lot better than a lot of other people,” said Aaron Rhodes, district chief of special operations for Orlando Fire Department. “If you can take a little time out of your day to provide some warmth and play some games outside of a window for a child who will not be able to make it outside for the holidays, what other job is going to give me that opportunity?”

Orlando and Orange County fire rescue members rappel down AdventHealth for Children to surprise pediatric patients.
Orlando and Orange County fire rescue teams rappel down AdventHealth for Children to surprise pediatric patients.

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