Beaumont’s ‘Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams’ Goes Virtual

Instead of gathering outside, community asked to send videos and photos to pediatric patients

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed life as we know it. But, the need for community support has never been stronger, especially for children spending the holidays in the hospital.

While it’s not safe for hundreds of people to gather outside Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak this year to show support for pediatric patients, the Beaumont team found a way to turn the fourth annual Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams program into a virtual experience. The program runs from Dec. 1 through Dec. 31.

Community members are invited to upload videos and photos on beaumont.org/moonbeams. Simply click “Share Your Story” and you’ll be prompted to “Share a Video” or “Share a Photo.” You can record or upload from the page. You’ll be asked to add a brief description and then your submission will be added to the gallery and available to share on social media channels.

Every week, Beaumont will compile some of the videos to create a video that will be shared with pediatric patients and on Beaumont’s social media channels.

Please keep videos to 30 seconds or less and follow these guidelines:

• Identify yourself
• Wish children sweet dreams and happy holidays
• Shine a flashlight
• Consider sharing some of your holiday decorations and lights

Kathleen Grobbel, Child Life Supervisor at Beaumont Children’s, is proud this much-anticipated event is now in its fourth consecutive year.

“Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams is always incredibly meaningful to our patients and families,” Grobbel said. “We are all looking forward to seeing the crowds outside the hospital again next year. However, I’m thrilled we will be able to continue the program virtually this year.”

Each child admitted to pediatrics or the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in December will receive a Moonbeams backpack. Backpacks will contain all the supplies needed to light up their patient room including:

• Fairy lights
• Glow sticks
• Light up toys
• A flashlight

“Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams” was created by the Beaumont Children’s Pediatric Family Advisory Council at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak. Numerous donors have supported the program over the years. To view a list of contributors and information about how to donate to Beaumont Children’s, visit https://www.beaumont.org/health-wellness/moonbeams/supporting

Beaumont Health

Beaumont Health is Michigan’s largest health care system and is most preferred for health care in Southeast Michigan, according to NRC Health survey data. The not-for-profit organization was created to provide patients with greater access to compassionate, extraordinary care, every day. Beaumont Health has a total net revenue of $4.7 billion and consists of eight hospitals with 3,429 beds, 145 outpatient sites, nearly 5,000 physicians, 38,000 employees and 3,500 volunteers. In 2018, Beaumont Health had about 178,000 inpatient discharges, 18,000 births and 573,000 emergency visits. For more information, visit beaumont.org.