Elementary School Children Spread Holiday Cheer at St. Luke's

DULUTH - Patients at St Luke's hospital received a little dose of holiday cheer Thursday.

A small group of students from Lester Park Elementary raised money to pay for trees and made handmade ornaments for patients.

They performed various odd jobs in order to raise the funds.

Five-year-old Carly Romano said, "I shoveled two times," in order to buy her tree.

Robbie Baker started the tradition 11 years ago when his brother Brendan was in the hospital during Christmas

"He was in the hospital when he was burned at 1-years-old and then my mom asked me what I wanted to do to help people who have been in the same situation at the hospital and I said 'make Christmas trees,'" said Baker.

He then partnered with Lester Park Elementary and the students to deliver the trees.

Mike Mathison is in the hospital for a head injury and he said he loved the tree Charlotte Peyer, 9, gave him.

He said, "I think they are wonderful and they bring their cheer with them."

St. Luke volunteers also handed out stockings to young patients to brighten up their spirits.

Little Molly came in with an ear infection and a volunteer gave her a stocking filled with stuffed animals and candy.

The volunteers made a total of 25 stockings to but did not give them all out Thursday.

The pediatric nurse will had them out on Christmas day.