COLUMBUS, Ohio (November 16, 2022) – Nationwide Children’s Hospital is launching “Light Up the Lawn, Light Up a Life” – a new holiday tradition that builds hope and joy for hospitalized children, families and the health care heroes caring for them.
Launching Nov. 16 and continuing through the holiday season, the lawn along Livingston Avenue in front of Nationwide Children’s will be transformed with an impressive butterfly-themed light display. Dozens of multi-colored butterflies will cover the lawn, illuminating each time a donation of $10 or more is made. The “Light Up the Lawn, Light Up a Life” display will be visible to pediatric patients and their families in the hospital tower as they look out at the lawn below, creating a joyful, impactful experience during the holiday season. With their donations, the community will produce a unique light show each night for the children and staff of Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
Tim Robinson, CEO of Nationwide Children’s, invitesthe community to participate in the campaign and impact the lives of patients who can’t be home for the holidays.
“We hope the ‘Light Up the Lawn, Light Up a Life’ campaign becomes a new central Ohio tradition for families everywhere,” said Robinson. “Every donation matters and supports everything from art therapy and family support services to life-saving research and clinical care. We want to make sharing the holiday spirit as easy as possible and give our community the opportunity to spread joy to those who cannot be home for the holidays.”
Through the end of the year, anyone who gives a gift of $10 or more will instantly light up butterflies on the lawn and throughout inpatient units. Donors can make their gift from anywhere using their cellphone or laptop and watch the lawn light via a live-stream video feed. Other levels of giving will fund specific opportunities – in addition to lighting the lawn – to surprise patients and staff.
- With a $100 gift, a blue butterfly pillow and cheer card will be delivered to a patient.
- With a $500 gift, five blue butterfly pillows and cheer cards will be delivered to five patients.
- A $1,000 gift will sponsor an 18” (tabletop) blue butterfly, and a staff workstation will receive a holiday sweet treat basket.
The six and 10-foot butterflies displayed on the lawn are also available for sponsorship and include a variety of benefits for individuals or corporate benefactors. NRG and Bread Financial are serving as lead Holiday Light sponsors. Their gifts along with another anonymous donor will be featured as matching gift sponsors for community giving throughout the season.
In addition to the lawn display, butterflies will be at five community locations during the “Light Up the Lawn, Light Up a Life” campaign and will also illuminate when a donation is made. Easton Town Center, John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Bridge Park in Dublin, Columbus Commons downtown, and the Short North Arts District will also each have a butterfly on display that will illuminate when donations are made.
