Woodland Middle Treats Patients to Halloween Party

Published November 12, 2009

Patients at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital were given a special treat this Halloween when students from Woodland Middle School paid them a visit. On October 26, a group of eighth graders traveled to Nashville to throw a Halloween party for the boys and girls at the hospital.

"This is the fifth year that Woodland Middle has had the privilege to do this Halloween party for Vanderbilt Children's Hospital," said WMS Teacher Assistant Jill McAteer. "Thanks to the generosity and support of our PTO, students, families and local businesses we were able to fill 170 goodie bags for patients of all ages."

In the weeks leading up to the party, PTO volunteers collected donations from local businesses and students collected loose change. Then they used the money to purchase hundreds of small items which could be placed in the Halloween gift bags.

"With the help of the Student Council members, the gift bags were packed with all types of goodies," said McAteer. "Student Council also made Halloween signs for the patients which were hung on hospital doors."

The most memorable part of the Halloween party came when a group of Woodland Middle School eighth grade chorus members dressed as characters from the Peanuts comic strip and performed a special concert. While some of the patients were able to watch the performance in person, the majority were able to view it from their hospital room via closed-circuit television.

"The Halloween party was a huge success," said McAteer. "The hospital staff was truly touched by the students' generosity and thoughtfulness."