The annual “Good Night Lights” event at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital in Downtown Charleston brings holiday cheer with participation from first responders statewide, including police, sheriff deputies, troopers, firefighters, and volunteers. The tradition started in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and has grown from about 40 companies to around 110 companies across South Carolina.
Event Experience
First responders attend with their families, sharing gift bags containing flashlights for patients to blink back at them. The event fosters emotional connections, often moving attendees to tears as they see the impact on families and patients.”Our first responders bring their families; it’s become a tradition. They bring the dog, they bring the kids,” Koontz said. “And then obviously our patients and families are so excited, we bring them gift bags during the day so that they have a flashlight at night to blink back at the first responders. They love that. And then you look around and you see first responders with tears in their eyes because they understand the impact that they are giving these families.”[/translate]
Family Impact
The Hewitt family, whose 3-year-old daughter Anna is battling leukemia, participated for the first time in 2025. They described the event as a meaningful reminder of the spirit of giving and a joyful break for families facing medical challenges during the holidays.”It means the world to us. It reminds us of what the Christmas season is all about, giving for others. It’s not so much about all of our gifts, but it’s a gift of helping others,” said Hewitt. [/translate]
Upcoming Dates
The event is planned to occur three more times in 2025 on December 11, 18, and 22, with the last date featuring a special guest.
