Ho, Ho, Ho...METRO Blue Santa Cheers Young Patients

METRO Blue Santa arrived by a custom-decorated Polar Express METRORail to Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital on Dec. 10, bringing bears, coloring books and cookies to young patients - along with X-boxes and Play Stations.

Siblings also received bears and coloring books.

This was the second annual Blue Santa visit to Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital - an event made possible by the hundreds of METRO employees who donated time, money, and bought barbeque, hot dogs and raffle tickets to raise funds.

"I'm proud of how METRO employees have come behind it," said Mike Riggs, an MPD officer and president of METRO Blue Santa. "The immense outpouring we got from them is fantastic."

This year, Blue Santa and his elves not only visited young patients in the 10^th floor lobby of Children's Memorial  - and in their rooms -  but some of Santa's elves visited the emergency rooms at Memorial Hermann/TMC, Memorial City, Southwest and Southeast. At each location, bundles of 25 teddy bears, coloring books, crayons and refreshments were distributed.

"Doing something for children and ensuring that they know somebody cares besides their parents - that possibly there is a Santa Claus - the meaning of Christmas is still there," said Riggs. "Christmas is giving. And maybe we did brighten a few of their days."

Blue Santa's fundraisers were so successful that organizers came in under budget and asked Children's Memorial Hermann if it would like a toy to hand out on Christmas Day to each young patient. The hospital did. For MPD Officers Curtis and Rita Holloway, going on a shopping spree for those toys was as much fun as it was for the kids receiving the gifts.

So the Holloways - along with METRO employees Regina Armelin, Lana Flory, Beverly Hollis and Kim Purcell - got to shop for age and gender-appropriate toys.

In all, Blue Santa spent about $6,408 on toys and cookies, creating memories these young patients will probably never forget.

"It's very satisfying," said Curtis Holloway, treasurer of METRO Blue Santa. "We're put on this Earth to do as much good as we can. That's what we're here for."

Taylor Wayman, child life specialist at Children's Memorial Hermann, said the experience was fabulous. "The patients felt very special, the families were very touched. They enjoyed meeting Santa. It made their time at the hospital very enjoyable. "

Earlier, METRO's bus operating facilities (BOFs) staged a bus-decorating contest with the winning bus escorting Santa back to the North Pole. Hiram Clarke BOF won the honors.

"I believe the reason so many of our staff get involved is simple:  At the end of the day, regardless of everything else going on in our lives, bringing a little happiness to children who are very sick - this can't help but make us happy, too," said Gwen Johnson, special projects manager, who coordinated the METRO effort.