Holiday cheer at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital this December

December was a season of community at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital (LLUCH), as patients, families, staff, and partners came together for a month full of festive celebrations and heartwarming moments.

The holiday spirit kicked off on December 1 with the Gingerbread Village, where patients decorated gingerbread houses together using icing, candy, and plenty of creativity. Thanks to the Big Hearts for Little Hearts Loma Linda Guild, patients who couldn't leave their rooms still got to join the fun with bedside deliveries.

Later that afternoon, players from the Empire Strykers, the professional indoor soccer team based in Ontario, toured the hospital, visiting patients and handing out teddy bears and team merchandise.

Sports excitement continued on December 3 when the professional ice hockey team, Ontario Reign, visited LLUCH, bringing stick-handling lessons, games, jersey giveaways, and smiles to patients throughout the hospital.

On December 4, LLUCH took part in the 24th annual Stater Bros. Charities KFROGGERS for Kids Radiothon at Bass Pro Shops in Rancho Cucamonga. Hosted alongside K-FROG 95.1 FM, the event united volunteers, radio personalities, patients, and local businesses to raise funds for pediatric cancer care.

One of the most anticipated traditions returned on December 14 with the Quaid Harley-Davidson Toy Run. Nearly 200 bikers, led by the Loma Linda Fire Department, roared onto campus, delivering toys for pediatric patients. The event featured a BMX bike show and gave patients a front-row view of this 33-year-old tradition.

Holiday magic filled the air again on December 17 when the Val Verde Unified School District Police Department visited the hospital, spreading Christmas cheer.

On December 18, LLUCH served as the grand finale of Operation Holiday Cheer, a multi-county law enforcement caravan spanning two days. Agencies from across Southern California paraded through hospital campuses with lights flashing and sirens sounding, Santa in tow, to honor healthcare workers and bring joy to patients watching from their windows for the fifth year.

The season concluded with the 6th annual Santa's Stroll on December 21, as the Big Hearts for Little Hearts Desert Guild led community volunteers dressed in festive costumes through the hospital, delivering gifts and spreading holiday cheer to patients and families.

Throughout December, LLUCH was filled with smiles, surprises, and meaningful moments, made possible by the generosity of community partners and the spirit of those dedicated to caring for children during the holidays and beyond.