La Cañada Flintridge Orthopaedic Guild members (above from left) Joan Cleven, Patti Rademacher, Marie Baker and Joanne Ploszaj recently traveled via the Gold Line and Metro to Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital to greet the arrival of Santa with over 1,500 children. These children are current and former patients of Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital. Many of their families do not have financial resources to pay for medical treatment, let alone toys for Christmas. Toys were donated by Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital support groups and employees, LAPD, businesses and the wider Los Angeles community. The LAPD SWAT team transported Santa via helicopter. Santa hovered above, sitting on an outside jump seat waving to an anxious cheering crowd of children. After landing, Santa greeted each child with a toy and photo opportunity. Families later enjoyed refreshments and playtime for children at the universally accessible playground.

Submitted by Joan CLEVEN