Children’s Hospital Hosts Giant Slumber Party for Heartwarming Reason
This blowout sleepover featured a giant quilted bed, stocking caps, and lullabies performed by a top orchestra. (Photo: Montreal Children’s Hospital)
Moving is a big adjustment for kids. A new neighborhood, different walls and windows, and new people to get used can be scary and overwhelming, and not exactly conducive to a good night’s sleep.
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So on May 26, two days after 66 young patients moved from the old Montreal Children’s Hospital to a brand-new facility, staff members threw the kids a magical nighttime party in the building’s new first-floor atrium.
The event was part housewarming party, part giant sleepover, with an enormous quilted bed made out of individual blankets sewn together and spread out on the atrium floor. To soothe kids and get everyone in a sleepy mood, stocking caps and stuffed animals were given out.
The hospital gave out stuffed animals to put little patients in a cozy mood. (Photo: Sid Lee)
The highlight of the slumber party was the Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal, which played lullabies for about 200 guests: inpatient kids, children who regularly visit the hospital for outpatient services, and their families.
The event was organized by the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation, which convinced orchestra members to donate their time and play for free, Kim Fraser, head of communications for the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation, tells Yahoo Parenting.
“We had about 75 kids attending with many other adult volunteers, who sewed the giant bed and wore clown outfits, helping kids feel comfortable and become familiar with the new building,” she says.
(Photo: The Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation)
Under the spell of lullabies by Brahms and Bach, the kids had a great time, as these photos show. “It is our sincere hope that through these timeless masterpieces of the classic repertoire, we can help ease the transition to the new Children’s and enhance the healing environment,” orchestra maestro Kent Nagano said in a news release.
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Montreal Children’s Hospital treats kids with cancer and other serious illnesses. A welcoming slumber party to make a move less overwhelming will give a sense of comfort to kids who have lots to deal with in their lives.
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