First responders say good night to children's hospital patients

First responders from throughout the Lowcountry are coming together to light up the winter sky and say “good night” to patients at the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital and Pearl Tourville Women’s Pavilion. The opening festivities kicked off on Dec. 2 and will be repeated on the next three Thursdays of December.

It’s an effort that began last December as a socially distanced way to be supportive and is continuing this year, to the delight of patients, staff and the first responders.

Charleston Police Department Sgt. Sean Engles, inspired by the Good Night Lights tradition at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island, organized the event.

“I just thought it would be such a nice thing for the children who are going through such a rough time and their families,” he said.

The first responders – fire, police and EMS departments and sheriffs’ offices – gather in parking areas across the street from the children’s hospital. When the command is given, they all turn on their emergency lights, lighting up the night sky.

Engles said that more than 30 departments and more than 100 vehicles participated in the first night, Dec. 2. Singers from the College of Charleston caroled to the first responders, and patients in the hospital used flashlights provided by the Charleston Police Department to signal back to the first responders on the ground.

Because of the ongoing pandemic, the public is asked not to view the event in person but to tune into the @musckids Facebook page livestream each Thursday beginning shortly before 7:45 p.m.

The next events are scheduled for Dec. 9., Dec. 16 and Dec. 23., and rumor has it that – if his busy schedule allows – there might be a special guest at the Dec. 23 event.