Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Children who are hospitalized can feel isolated and have a hard time settling in for a good night’s sleep during the holiday season.
Once again, Beaumont Children’s is asking for the community’s help. All you need is a flashlight.
“Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams” was created by the Beaumont Children’s Pediatric Family Advisory Council at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak. This year, the event runs Dec. 1-25.
Beginning each night at 8 p.m., pediatric patients will shine flashlights from hospital windows and look for community members standing outside the hospital to shine the light back at them. It only takes a few minutes, but often means a great deal to young patients and their families.
“As the parent of a child who has been in the hospital during the holidays, our family recognizes the importance of Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams,” said Wendy Lemon of Royal Oak. “My family knows how alone you can feel being admitted to the hospital during these times. And that’s why when we are not in the hospital, we love shining hope through our flashlights from the other side of the glass.”
According to Kathleen Grobbel, Child Life Supervisor, the team at Beaumont Children’s is proud to present this much-anticipated event for a third consecutive year.
“We are so incredibly grateful to have captured the enthusiastic support of the greater, Royal Oak community,” Grobbel said. “In addition, we very much appreciate the selfless dedication of our volunteers and staff, without whose efforts we would not be able to make this popular event happen.”
Each night between Dec. 1 and 25, event participants will gather on the sidewalk near the Medical Office Building and across from the East entrance.
FREE REGISTRATION
Everyone is encouraged to register online in advance. This will help promote a comfortable flow of people and traffic each night of the event.
PARKING
The community is encouraged to arrive early and allow ample time to park: carpooling is recommended.
Upon entering the Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak campus from Thirteen Mile, follow the signs to the North parking deck. Parking is available in the two lots across from the North Parking Deck and just east of the Medical Office Building on the Beaumont, Royal Oak campus. For handicap parking, please follow the signs to the handicap lot.
From the Coolidge entrance, follow the signs to the Neuroscience Center parking lot. Please note that if the parking areas are full when you arrive, you may wish to return on another night.
ABOUT BEAUMONT CHILDREN’S PEDIATRIC FAMILY ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Beaumont Children’s Pediatric Family Advisory Council was established in 2013 and consists of parents of children who have experienced care or services at Beaumont Children’s. The Council supports a culture of Patient and Family-Centered Care while providing a method for communication between health care leaders, providers and employees and patients and families. They focus on enhancing the patient experience through direct input into programs and practices for Beaumont Children’s. Their perspective on the experience of hospitalization during the holidays, was the inspiration for Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams.