(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Nationwide Children’s Hospital has expanded “Light Up the Lawn, Light Up a Life” to give new opportunities to spread warmth and cheer to patients, families and health care heroes, as the grounds become a winter wonderland for the third year.
From Nov. 12 to Dec. 31, a bright butterfly-themed light display will illuminate Nationwide Children’s south lawn along Livingston Avenue. Every time a donation of any amount is made to the hospital, more than 100 butterflies of various sizes will light up and create a unique show that makes the hospital’s campus sparkle and brightens the nights for patients and families receiving care throughout the holiday season. Donations can be easily made from a phone or computer, and the lawn will light up with special shows every hour for patients and families. Donors can watch the lawn light via a live-cam set up by the hospital.
New this year, there will be additional ways at the hospital and throughout the community to show your support to patients and families.
At Nationwide Children’s Hospital:
- Gratitude & Joy Station: A new station nestled within the hospital’s Magic Forest gives users the ability to generate the perfect words to spread joy and happiness to a doctor, nurse, family member or friend.
- Appreciation Boxes: Nationwide Children’s will have standalone appreciation boxes at off-site Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) for families and staff to share messages of gratitude.
Throughout the community:
This year, the community will have more opportunities to get involved through a new program called Butterfly Heroes. Butterfly Heroes gives local companies the opportunity to create their own fundraising activities to engage their employees, customers and the community to support programs and services at Nationwide Children's. The Butterfly Hero program is still accepting new partners for the 2024 holiday season. For more information about joining the Butterfly Hero program, please visit nationwidechildrens.org/giving or contact Kathy Hickman at Kathryn.Hickman@nationwidechildrens.org.
Additionally, as in past years, several community partners will feature butterflies at their locations to mark their support of Nationwide Children’s. The locations are:
- John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons
- Easton Town Center
- Polaris Fashion Place
- Dublin’s Bridge Park
- John Glenn Columbus International Airport
Nationwide Children's is honored to have been designated as the cause partner of Downtown Columbus Inc., and this year, they and our other community partners are giving families, friends and neighbors more chances to show their support, including those listed below.
- Wanderlights Trolley Tour, held Fridays, December 6, 13 and 20, from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Downtown Holiday Extravaganza Gift Wrap Station on December 7, from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- The Merry Market at Bridge Park on December 7
- Easton Town Center’s Festive Friends Scavenger Hunt throughout the holiday season
“At Nationwide Children’s Hospital, we are deeply grateful for our dedicated staff and the community that supports us, helping to raise the spirits of children in the hospital and provide them the best care possible,” said Tim Robinson, chief executive officer of Nationwide Children’s. “This season of gratitude reminds us that health care is not just a service—it’s a partnership. Through your generosity, we are able to build healthier, stronger futures for kids.”
Every dollar raised makes a difference. Presenting sponsors are Bread Financial, Cenovus Energy and NRG. Generous donors help us to fund life-saving research and care and therapeutic support items such as new pajamas, butterfly wagons, the use of therapy dogs, state of the art IV infusion pumps, and much more. These donations from the community go toward ensuring the best outcomes for children and making their stay in the hospital more comfortable.
“It is through the generosity of our community that we can continue to provide life-saving research and care,” said Steve Testa, president of Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation. “This season, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to every donor and supporter who makes our mission possible."
The 2024 “Light Up the Lawn, Light Up a Life” Campaign officially kicks off at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 12 with the grand illumination, in which the hospital will honor this year’s patient champions. Information about how to donate to “Light Up the Lawn, Light Up a Life” will be shared at NationwideChildrens.org/giving.