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(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Nationwide Children’s Hospital is expanding “Light Up the Lawn, Light Up a Life,” the hospital’s annual holiday campaign to illuminate the grounds — and for the first time, the sky.
On November 18, Nationwide Children’s will host the fourth annual Grand Illumination, where the hospital will flip the switch on its display of more than 100 butterflies along Livingston Avenue to bring joy, hope and light to children who are hospitalized during the holidays. These 10- and 6-foot butterflies light up each time a donation is made to support the hospital’s lifechanging and lifesaving patient care and research. Presenting sponsors are Bread Financial, Cenovus Energy, Epcon Communities and NRG.
This year, a new live drone show will also brighten the sky immediately following the illumination of the butterflies. Generously donated by Northern Lights Drone Shows, a company based in Wisconsin, the drone show will spread even more warmth and cheer to patients, families and health care heroes who will watch from the hospital’s front lawn, Ann Isaly Wolfe tower or via livestream. Please note that the Grand Illumination and drone show are private events for patient families and hospital staff and not open to the general public. Members of the community are invited to experience the celebration via our official livestream viewable on the hospital’s Facebook or Instagram pages.
“The care that Nationwide Children’s Hospital provides isn’t just about medical treatment – it’s also about nurturing families during stressful times and celebrating children as they grow and succeed,” said Tim Robinson, chief executive officer of Nationwide Children’s. “Through your generosity this season, we can build healthier, stronger futures for kids, and we can also show our gratitude to our amazing hospital team and the community that supports us.”
The holiday campaign will continue through Dec. 31, with opportunities for everyone to get involved.
Butterfly Heroes
Butterfly Heroes gives local companies the opportunity to create their own fundraising activities to engage their employees, customers and the community to support programs and services at Nationwide Children’s. The Butterfly Hero program is still accepting new partners for the 2025 holiday season. For more information, please visit nationwidechildrens.org/give or contact Kathy Hickman at Kathryn.Hickman@nationwidechildrens.org.
Butterflies around Columbus
Additionally, as in past years, several community partners will feature butterflies at their locations to mark their support of Nationwide Children’s. The locations are:
- John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons
- Easton Town Center
- Polaris Fashion Place
- Dublin’s Bridge Park
- John Glenn Columbus International Airport
Community events
Nationwide Children’s is honored to be the Downtown Columbus Inc., cause partner. This year, community partners are giving families, friends and neighbors more chances to show their support, including expanding the popular Wanderlights Trolley Tour and other events taking place at Dublin’s Bridge Park listed below.
- Wanderlights Trolley Tour, held Fridays and Saturdays, December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- The Merry Market at Bridge Park on December 6
- “Santa in the Park” at Bridge Park on December 20
Every dollar raised makes a difference. Generous donors help fund life-saving and life-changing research and care and therapeutic support items such as patient care supplies, butterfly wagons, the use of therapy dogs, state of the art IV infusion pumps and much more. These donations from the community go toward ensuring the best outcomes for children and making their stay in the hospital more comfortable.
“It is through the generosity of our community that we can continue to conduct cutting-edge research and provide life-saving care,” said Steve Testa, president of Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation. “This season, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to every supporter and volunteer who make our mission possible.”
Information about how to donate to “Light Up the Lawn, Light Up a Life” will be shared at NationwideChildrens.org/give.
