St. Barnabas to Light 90-Foot Christmas Tree on Thursday

Presents for Patients will kick off its 28th season Thursday with a tree lighting, carriage rides, musical entertainment and fireworks at in Richland Township.

The free Christmas celebration is open to the community from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the campus at 5827 Meridian Road in Gibsonia.

Presents for Patients was founded in 1984 by St. Barnabas President William V. Day. The program has provided gifts and holiday visits for more than 431,113 patients in facilities in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, Tennessee and West Virginia.

Presents for Patients' mission is to see that every patient in a long-term care facility receives a holiday visit or a gift.   

At Thursday's festivities, St. Barnabas will light its 90-foot Christmas tree. Activities will feature carriage rides and musical entertainment.

Sip on hot chocolate by a toasty bonfire and sing along to Christmas carols led by and music by In-Tune with the Arts, Jazz Ensemble and . Refreshments will be served.

Kevin Benson from WPXI-TV will be holding live coverage interviews with Presents for Patients spokeswoman Valerie Wilden.

As the night comes to an end, guests can pose with Santa Claus for keepsakes and enjoy the Zambelli fireworks display.

For more information on Presents for Patients and how you can donate and/or participate, call 724-444-5521 or visit www.PRESENTSFORPATIENTS.com.

The Christmas celebration and Presents for Patients kickoff is open to the public. RSVP by calling 724-443-0700, ext. 5310, or e-mail ltassos@stbarnabashealthsystem.com for more details.