GRAND RAPIDS, MIch. - Dozens of police and emergency vehicles outside Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Wednesday night were not responding to a crisis. They were using their lights to help brighten the day of the young patients inside.
Project Night Lights was a joint effort by local first responders and hospital staff coordinated by Silent Observer. Members of the community also joined in, aiming lights at the hospital to say good night and get well; sick children inside responding with flashlights as a way of saying thanks.
“My son is here with leukemia,” said parent Eric Karns. “He is six years old. He shouldn't be going through it, but he is and if we can bring him joy it's worth doing it -- and it's awesome the city can be behind it.”
Project Night Light brightness spirits at DeVos Children's Hospital
A variety of West Michigan departments sent emergency vehicles and personnel to participate in Project Night Lights.
“Anytime we can be part of something that, I guess, tugs at our heart strings is beneficial,” explained Lt. Kristen Rogers from the Grand Rapids Police Department.
Hospital staff and members of the public also lined the pavement outside the hospital, many pointing their phone lights toward the building.
“Anything to make them happy,” said Patsy Nelson. “I don’t have a light but I am waving. Anything to put a smile on their face.”
For the foreseeable future Project Night Lights will be a monthly event at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital happening on the second Wednesday of every month at 8:30 p.m.
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