Music, Merriment, and Mr. Claus Come to Porter Regional Hospital

Santa is a busy guy, but he made time to stop by Porter Regional Hospital in early December to visit with the children and to make his list (and check it twice). The lovely Mrs. Claus came too, as they both enjoy seeing the kids and their families who come out to see them every year at Porter.

“This is something that we like to do to give back to the community,” Porter’s Community Programming and Senior Circle Coordinator, Karin Birchel, said. “And not only do the citizens bring their children in to see Santa, we also have our associates bring their children in. We love to see the kids’ faces light up when they see Santa Claus and we just love to celebrate the holiday season with everyone. We will continue this tradition as the years go by.”

The event was open to the public, and parents brought excited children to see Santa. Their eyes were wide with excitement as they spied him sitting in front of a large, fully decorated Christmas tree in the main lobby of the hospital. He listened attentively as each child spoke to him and cameras clicked as moments were forever captured.

On top of visits with Santa, everyone who attended was serenaded by the sweet sounds of the Portage High School Choraliers. They sang lovely carols that had everyone getting into the holiday spirit.

Complementary hot cocoa, candy canes, and other sweets were available to add to the merriment of the night. Many came out, and not just families; Porter staff and volunteers stopped to hear the choir sing or take a few photos.

The event also supported Porter’s Toys for Tots drive. People were able to bring in new, unwrapped toys that will be delivered, with Santa’s help, to children in need so that they too, can have a very merry Christmas.

“We get requests all the time to come and work with businesses and organizations at their events,” Reggie Hess, Associate Coordinator for Toys for Tots of Porter County said. “The reputation of the Marines speaks for itself, but not many people realized that the secondary purpose of the Marines is humanitarian, meaning that we take care of whatever area we are serving as well as the people within it. When the Marine Corps adopted Toys for Tots in 1948 we decided that, as Marines, we are going to continue to serve our communities. Once a Marine, always a Marine.”