Students from the third and fourth grade classes of Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Academy visited UPMC St. Margaret on Dec. 4 to help spread holiday cheer.
The students decorated the Christmas tree in the hospital’s lobby with handmade ornaments, sang carols and helped to light the tree.
The St. Margaret Foundation coordinated the long-standing tradition with the school.
“The sad truth is that there will be many patients in the hospital over the holidays,” said Mary Lee Gannon, president of the St. Margaret Foundation. “Patients tell us that to hear the children singing and to see their ornaments on our Christmas tree makes them smile and reminds them of home.”
The students walked to the hospital from their school in Aspinwall with their teachers. They received cookies and treat bags from the foundation.
Anyone interested in brightening the lives of patients who are hospitalized during the holiday with a poinsettia or reindeer LED candlelight are encouraged to make a gift to the Holiday Gifts for Patients Program at stmargaretfoundation.org/donate.