December 17, 2021

Santa Brings Holiday Cheer to Patients at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital

When Santa learned that young patients at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital needed some holiday cheer, he made an emergency trip with a little help from his friends at Saskatoon Police Service and Saskatoon Fire Department.  

Children and families watched with excitement from their patient rooms as Santa rode up in style in a side-by-side quad, courtesy of FFUN Motorsports. Children and families then participated in a safe and socially distanced visit with Santa and his elf in the Child Life  Zone, where they received a special gift and keepsake photo, thanks to the generosity of  Graham Construction. Those who were unable to leave their hospital rooms were also included in the fun, as Santa made his way down the halls of the pediatric inpatient unit.  

Santa’s visit was just one part of Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation’s Project Holiday Joy initiatives, which aims to bring the magic of the holiday season to children and families in hospital.

The week’s activities included special family movie nights in the Family Theatre, decorating gingerbread houses, sugar cookies, stockings and snow globes, and plenty of singing and music. The upcoming Holiday Market in the Child Life Zone will give patients and families an opportunity to shop for a special gift for each other when they aren’t able to leave the hospital. Patients earn “Sunshine Bucks” for completing treatments, having a positive attitude, and more, which they can cash to help buy a gift for a special family member. All gifts are complimentary for patients and families. 

“Project Holiday Joy gives Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation, and our dedicated sponsors, the opportunity to help lift the spirits of young patients and families who are unable to go home for the holidays. This initiative and its activities allow our kids to build positive memories during hospitalization, letting them know they are cared for, supported and that the holidays still can come to sick children,” said Brynn Boback-Lane, President & CEO of Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation.  

Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation would like to thank the sponsors of  Project Holiday Joy, including Graham Construction, Canpotex, Viterra, McDougall Gauley, Raymond James, Action Office Interiors, and Decora Homes.