Star Wars Group Joins in on Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams, Shining Lights for Hospitalized Kids
(Sam Gurwin, Dec. 22, 2018)
Royal Oak, MI – For the second year in a row, Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak supported their pediatric patients by inviting the community to show their love. For the whole Month of December, citizens can bring their flashlights to the hospital and shine them up to the kids’ windows while the children do the same!
“It is our way of saying goodnight and you are not alone; we are thinking of you during this Holiday time” said Jennifer Dawson, Co-Chair of the Pediatric Family Advisory Council at Beaumont, Royal Oak while she helping direct traffic. “It is wonderful.”
Dawson was decked out in a festive light vest. Among the fire trucks to police cars, one truck did stand out. Carl from DTE Energy drove 2 hours in an amazingly decorated DTE Work Truck for this event. The vehicle was draped in holiday lights! There were also many people dressed in lights and merry clothing…including a group decked out in Star Wars themed clothes, and of course, light sabers.
The Star Wars series, featuring the struggle between the Rebel Alliance and the Evil Empire which has inspired fans since 1978. The fandom continues as Star Trek Clubs like The Michigan Jedi/Sith Order which was created for like-minded Fans.
This club, like many others, comes together through charity. Being at events like this one is “cool,” said one of the Founding Members, Kenneth Julien of Westland. This family-oriented Star Wars Organization came for the first time this year.
“It’s kind of like a new venture for us,” said Julien. “We’ll be back Dec. 29 too… We are here for the kids.”
Santa Claus started off the Moonbeams event from atop a tall firetruck ladder. For about 10 minutes the crowd sparkled and swung their lights around. Sometimes the crowd made squares and other shapes. Other times the crowd mimicked the flashlight movements of the kids upstairs.
Kelly & Jessica of Troy were here tonight to “celebrate the children.” These two cheerful people amongst the crowd were looking forward to “A lot of dazzling lights, and kids looking out the Windows. Maybe a few tears, but tears of happiness,” Jessica said.
“It’s just amazing to see the Community come together for this” Dawson said. The lights continue through Christmas night, and again on New Year’s Eve.