December 14, 2007

Angels Above brave snowstorm for holiday cheer at MGHfC

The season's first winter snowstorm did not prevent the Angels Above Charitable Trust "angels" — Sue Horman, founder of Angels Above and her colleague, Mary Beth Brunelle — along with their special friends from the North Pole, Santa Claus and his elves from traveling to the MassGeneral Hospital for Children (MGHfC) Dec. 13 to bring holiday cheer to young patients. The festive group brought treats and gifts for the children on Ellison 17 and 18 as well as the Pediatric and the Neonatal Intensive Care Units.

Angels Above bring holiday cheer to MGHfC patients.

A party for the pediatric patients receiving treatment at the MGHfC was held in the Ellison 18 playroom, where Horman and Brunelle helped Santa Claus pass out gifts to each patient. Parents and siblings were not left out of the festivities and were treated to a special lunch and presents as well.

"Sue and Mary Beth really do go above and beyond to put a smile on a child's face," says Ashley Reardon, MGHfC child life specialist. "They do so much for the patients and not just during the holidays. They do this all year long, and so many patients have benefited from their kindness and generosity."

Horman established Angels Above in 1996, shortly after her 18-year-old daughter, Kimberly, died from cancer. She created the organization as a way to give back to the hospital and help children who are receiving treatment. Horman and Brunelle work together with the MGHfC Child Life Department to provide gifts for pediatric patients year-round. They bring happiness to the children's days and help ease the stress of hospitalization.

Says Horman, "We really look forward to seeing the children this time of year. They usually come to the hospital for treatment, but today many of them came in just for the party so they could celebrate the holidays, meet Santa and have the chance to just be kids."

For more information about Angels Above, call (978) 452-4833.