First responders from across the Miami Valley flashed “Goodnight Lights.”
“Look, there’s a firetruck. There’s a policeman,” Matt Vanover said to his 2-year-old daughter, a hospital patient.
>> First responders aglow for extra special Christmas Eve ‘Goodnight Lights’ at Dayton Children’s
A firetruck lifted its ladder to wave to patients and CareFlight had a helicopter up in the air while the rest on the ground waved flashlights.
“This was something special to keep her mind off of it,” Vanover said. “They shined it at my daughter and she said, ‘he saw me, he saw me.’ She got really excited about that,” he said.
Credit: DAN PASCIAK / STAFF
Credit: DAN PASCIAK / STAFF
“Goodnight Lights started last Sept. 11, and now every Tuesday like clockwork since then, area first responders activate the lights on their emergency vehicles and cruisers, hoping to bring some smiles for the hospital's young patients.
“For a few minutes it takes their minds off of whatever reason they are here at the hospital,” Andray Toney, Dayton Children’s Hospital Chief of Public Safety said. “It lets them know that, hey somebody supports and we’re here for you. It kind of tells the kids goodnight at the same time.”
>> Ohio commemorates Dayton museum’s centennial with historical marker
Toney is one of the co-founders of the tradition, in which District Chief David Wright of the Dayton Fire Department said he loves to take part.
“We put up our bucket up to one of the windows and actually had a high five from one of the kids that was apparently undergoing some treatments,” Wright said. “Anytime we can spend some time and bring some joy to their lives, and we get as much fun as they do.”
The organizers of the goodnight lights encourages local groups to join first responders to show support for the kids, and said in the past they’ve had local churches come out.
About the Author