Holiday lights have a way of lifting spirits. For the patients and caregivers at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital in Spokane Washington, the Christmas Lights at Cowley Park are a comforting holiday tradition, made possible by Dawn Gregg, owner of Ash & Rowan Ace Hardware, and her team.

Cowley Park is visible from the windows of Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital. During the holiday season, Dawn and a team of volunteers string lights up around the park to create a festive light show. The lights, extension cords, and zip ties that make up the display are all donated by Dawn, her family, and the team at Ace.

"The Christmas Lights at Cowley Park really have become a beloved tradition for our patients, for our caregivers, and for our community," said Colleen Fox, Chief Philanthropy Officer, Providence Inland Northwest Foundation. "Our local Children’s Miracle Network champion family who represents our hospital gets to come and flip the giant switch to turn the lights on."

"The idea was to give the patients a little bit of Christmas, because if they’re spending the night in the hospital Christmas Eve, you want them to have a little bit of joy," said Dawn. "My favorite part of the reveal night is when I can look up at the windows and the kids are watching. It’s really awesome to see their faces pressed up against the window, and that’s why I do this."

In addition to sponsoring the holiday lights, Dawn’s three Ace stores raise an average of $100,000 a year to support Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital. Together, Ace Hardware stores in the region consistently raise over $400,000 every year that stays in Spokane to benefit kids. Those donations funded the complete remodel of the General Pediatrics floor at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital.