Akron Children’s Women’s Board celebrates the 31st anniversary of the Children’s Tree of Lights
11-19-2024 (Akron, Ohio)
Akron Children’s Perkins Square Park will light up again this year with thousands of blue and white lights on Friday, Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m. as the Akron Children’s Women’s Board kicks off the holiday season at the annual Children’s Tree of Lights ceremony.
The event takes place in the Rehabilitative Services Lobby, near the revolving door entrance to the main hospital at 214 W. Bowery St.
The public is invited to attend.
Music performers include the Firestone High School Madrigal Singers, the ETC All-American Youth Show Choir, guitarist Keith Barnett, and a bell ringing group, the Oak Hill Ringers from Oak Hill Presbyterian Church. In addition, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik will speak and Lisa Aurilio, Akron Children’s chief operating officer, will read “The Night Before Christmas.”
The ceremony was created in 1994 when then-active board member Nancy Heslop had the idea for a lighted tree holiday celebration with live evergreens in the park.
“I knew it would probably change and evolve through the years as each chair put her own stamp on it, but I always thought it would remain a hit,” said Heslop.
The tree lighting ceremony will be streamed live into patient rooms, and carolers and Akron Children’s Doggie Brigade, sponsored by Milk Bone ®, will visit the inpatient units.
“This holiday tradition spreads joy to Akron Children's patients, families and staff,” said this year’s chairwoman, Kathy Reed. “The lit tree, with the hospital's Bambino symbol on top, reminds us of our loved ones that celebrate, honor and that we have lost. The Bambino represents all the children served by our hospital.”
This year’s Bambino Sponsor is associate Women’s Board member Pam Kokomoor, in honor and memory of her late husband, Dr. Frank Kokomoor, who served as a neonatologist at Akron Children’s for 34 years.
Lights on the Children’s Tree are sold individually or by the string and can be purchased in amounts ranging from $10 to $100 in honor or memory of someone special. Donations are also accepted. Visit http://akronchildrens.org/childrenstree for details.
