For the fifth year in a row, the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department brought smiles and holiday cheer to children staying at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital.

On Wednesday, December 17, firefighters helped make sure children were able to see and interact with Santa Claus, the Grinch, and the Elf on the Shelf, creating special moments for young patients and their families during the holiday season.

The tradition began in 2021 when COVID-19 precautions prevented Santa from going inside the hospital to visit patients. Rather than letting the circumstances stop them, firefighters found a creative solution by placing Santa and the Grinch on a fire truck ladder so children could see them through their windows.

Fire Chief Shane Edwards said the effort was driven by a simple desire to make sure children spending the holidays in the hospital did not miss out on the magic of the season.

“We know many of these children are going to be at the Children’s Hospital through Christmas, and it really pulled at our heartstrings knowing they might not get to see Santa,” said Edwards. “We just wanted to put Santa at the windows of each of these children’s rooms.”

The idea first took shape during the Fire Department’s Christmas party one year, when firefighters were out viewing holiday lights downtown. During that outing, Lt. Billy Strange suggested doing something special for the children at the hospital. After Chief Edwards gave the department the green light, firefighters worked closely with hospital staff to make the visit possible.

“We had a group of firefighters come together, off duty, pooling their resources and getting in touch with Santa Claus,” Edwards said. “This is just one of those instances where our firefighters went above and beyond for the community.”