Santa socially distances himself at hospital

CHRISTUS St. Michael Hospital - Atlanta and Genesis PrimeCare Ellington Memorial Clinic presented “Cruise through Christmas,” a community holiday celebration, Monday night at the hospital located at 1007 South William Street.

The annual event, which had a different twist this year for health safety, featured a live Nativity with performers and animals, Freddy the First Aid Frog, Santa Claus, goodie bags for children, classic Christmas tunes from the 50s and 60s and more. The driving path started on Williams Street, winded around the parking lot up to the awning where Santa was seated, and back down to Williams, passing the live nativity.

According to Charlotte Mitchell, of Genesis Prime-Care, they planned for at least 300 children, and the line was long in all directions leading to the hospital for over an hour.

As each vehicle drove through the awning, children, adults and even some pets, hung out of their windows to greet Santa, the socially distanced way, and receive a goody bag from Santa’s helpers.

The Genesis PrimeCare mascot, Freddy the First Aid Frog, was there as well, greeting his fans. Freddy recently won a mascot contest at the Marshall Fire Ant Festival, and was happy to show off his winning moves.

The animals used in the Heritage Home Health live nativity included Oliver the llama, Jenny the donkey, and Melvin the goat. The creatures are all owned by Curtis Lane of Linden, a Physician’s Assistant and home health volunteer.

Mike Onuoha, the spiritual care director for CHRISTUS St. Michael Hospital, was on-hand to help Santa, Freddy and the helpers greet visitors. Chris Easley of Atlanta loaned his 1967 GMC pickup truck to Santa for the evening, since there wasn’t any room under the awning for the sled and reindeer.