Santa Makes Special Stop at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center

NEWARK, NJ – Santa Claus and a few of his best elves made a special stop at the Children’s Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center with the help of Newark’s Public Safety Division and the New Jersey Devils to bring some holiday cheer to those in need on Monday afternoon.

This year’s visit was slightly different than in the past due to COVID-19 restrictions in place as Santa took the ladder up from a Newark Fire Department engine to greet kids in a socially distanced way right outside the windows.

The result, however, was the same – kids were smiling from ear to ear.

“Every year the public safety division goes out of their way to put on events,” said Newark Fire Chief Rufus Jackson, who has been with department for 25 years now. “This year is a little different though because of everything that is going on in the world. Between the New Jersey Devils, Newark Beth Israel and Newark’s Public Safety Division, we were able to come together and put smiles on kids’ faces today in a time of need.”

Dating back to their inaugural season in 1982, the Devils have made a long-standing commitment to visit children in hospitals every year.

“Usually this time of year we are visiting kids throughout hospitals (in New Jersey) at their beds, but unfortunately we weren’t able to do that this year,” former New Jersey Devils defenseman and 1995 Stanley Cup Champion Bruce Driver explained. “But I think it’s great we were able to get out here today with the Newark Police Department and Fire Department to spread some holiday cheer with the healthcare workers, who have been heroic (throughout the pandemic).”

Fellow Devils alumni Grant Marshall, a member of the team’s 2003 championship team agreed.

“We’ve got such great heroes in our healthcare workers and first responders,” added Marshall. “For us to be able to be a part of this today and give back to the children during the holidays is a good thing.”

Darrell Terry, president and CEO of Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey said he was thrilled with the result of the social distanced event.

“This shows us all how the community can come together in a positive way,” suggested Terry. “It feels really good to see how excited the kids were when they saw Santa going up on the ladder to greet them. Despite all of the challenges, kids are happy and smiling and that makes all of the difference in the world to them.”

With only a few weeks left in 2020, there is optimism that a return to normalcy is on the horizon as we prepare to enter 2021 behind the release of the new COVID-19 vaccine and the return of professional hockey on January 13th. Any signs of hope offers a refreshing change of pace for what has been a tough and challenging year. And that is just what Santa and his elves brought to children with an assist from partners in the community.