In honor of its new hospital and research facility opening in June, Nationwide Children’s Hospital is offering ”The Columbus Wishing Tree Project” to the community. Live potted trees will be available in various locations to enable the public to express a wish and tie it to the tree.
Wishes may range from personal hopes directed to a specific child or family to general best wishes for the patients at Nationwide Children’s or dreams for a healthy future for all children. Wishes will be as varied as the individuals expressing them.
Wishing Trees have become popular around the world, connected to a wide variety of celebrations and dating back to ancient China. These trees enable families, friends and communities to come together to share their hopes for the future by writing and placing wishes on a tree.
Beginning at the Columbus Arts Festival and the Memorial Tournament, the Wishing Trees will travel to various Columbus locations during the first week in June. Visit NationwideChildrens.org/wishing-tree to access a list of locations or to express a wish via a ‘virtual’ Wishing Tree online.
All of the tress will be brought back to Nationwide Children’s Hospital for the Community Celebration Day on Sunday, June 10, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend for a look inside the new hospital and fun activities for the whole family.
When the Nationwide Children’s Club House for siblings moves into the new hospital, it will feature a permanent Wishing Tree to enable brothers and sisters of patients to express their feelings and share wishes for their hospitalized siblings.