Charlotte Firefighters Rappel as Santa, Grinch, and Elves at Levine
Published on December 12, 2024
Firefighter Dustin Reynolds, dressed as Santa, beams with holiday spirit as he prepares for the highlight of the season: rappelling for a cause.
By Kevin Campbell, Charlotte Fire
Twelve stories above the streets of Charlotte, a Grinch peeked through the window of Levine Children’s Hospital, his green, fuzzy hand waving at the wide-eyed child inside. Moments later, Santa Claus himself joined the scene, his jolly laughter echoing as he lowered himself on a rappel rope. It’s not your typical holiday visit, but for the brave men and women of Charlotte Fire, it has become a heartwarming tradition.
The Charlotte Fire Special Operations Team gathers on the roof for a team photo before beginning their heartwarming descent.
For the third year in a row, Charlotte Firefighters transformed the exterior of Levine Children’s Hospital into a stage of holiday cheer, rappelling down the glass facade in festive costumes. Children, families, and staff gathered at the windows, smiling, waving, and capturing the magical moments on their phones. For many, it was a much-needed break from the challenges of hospital life.
Charlotte Firefighters rappel down the facade of Levine Children’s Hospital, bringing holiday cheer to young patients and their families.
“It’s become one of the most anticipated events of the year,” said Captain Jason Hardin, who has spearheaded the initiative since its inception. “A couple of us at the firehouse started talking about it after hearing about similar events from colleagues in other cities. We reached out to Atrium Health, and they loved the idea. The rest is history.”
Bringing Joy One Story at a Time
The event is no small feat. The team begins planning months in advance, coordinating with the hospital to ensure every safety precaution is in place. On the day of the event, the Special Operations Team, known for their technical rescue expertise, dons their harnesses alongside festive attire, including Santa suits, elf costumes, and the ever-popular Grinch.
The Grinch waves from the rooftop, ready to bring a bit of mischief and a lot of joy to the children of Levine Children’s Hospital.
“The Grinch was kind of a fluke the first year,” Hardin explained with a laugh. “Someone brought it last minute, and it stole the show. Now, it’s become a staple. The kids love him, even more than Santa sometimes.”
The carefully orchestrated descent allows firefighters to visit nearly every window of the children’s hospital. Inside, young patients and their families eagerly await their turn to see the holiday spectacle. For children confined to their rooms, the visit is a moment of pure joy in an otherwise challenging season.
Firefighter Justin Ranson, dressed as Santa Claus, prepares to descend and wave to children eagerly watching from the hospital windows.
“Being in the hospital is hard enough,” Hardin said. “But being here during the holidays? It’s tough for these kids and their families. If we can bring even a little happiness to their day, it’s worth every effort.”
Firefighters Feel the Impact Too
While the children are the stars of the show, the event has a profound impact on the firefighters as well. Many of them are parents, and seeing children who could be their own in hospital beds strikes an emotional chord.
Firefighter Coleman Hattaway secures ropes and double-checks equipment, ensuring a safe and successful event for all.
“It’s tough to see,” Hardin admitted. “Some of the guys don’t want to admit it, but there’s been a lot of misty eyes on the ropes. A number of our firefighters have had their own children treated here at Levine, so it really hits home.”
For Fire Chief Reginald Johnson, this event embodies the spirit of Charlotte Fire. “Our mission goes beyond responding to emergencies,” Johnson said. “It’s about serving our community in every way we can. This event highlights the compassion and dedication of our firefighters, and it’s one of the most meaningful traditions we’ve built.”
The Grinch takes a moment during the rappel, embodying both mischief and holiday cheer as he helps Charlotte Fire bring smiles to Levine Children’s Hospital.
A Holiday Tradition Takes Root
What started as a simple idea has blossomed into a cherished tradition, not just for the hospital but for the entire department. Each year, the costumes get a little more elaborate, and the excitement among firefighters grows.
“They absolutely love it,” Hardin shared. “A lot of them say it’s the highlight of their year. It’s a chance to use our training in a fun, uplifting way and to connect with the community on a different level.”
Firefighter Colin Ballew smiles before suiting up for the rappel, reflecting the joy and camaraderie that defines this cherished tradition.
Even the hospital staff gets in on the excitement, often dressing up and coordinating activities around the event. “The partnership with Atrium Health has been incredible,” Hardin said. “They go above and beyond to make sure this is a special day for everyone involved.”
Looking to the Future
As the tradition continues to grow, Charlotte Fire is already thinking about ways to make it even better in the future. From expanding the number of participants to incorporating new costumes and themes, the goal is always the same: to bring joy to as many children as possible.
Engineer Brett Suhr carefully inspects and prepares safety ropes atop Levine Children’s Hospital, ensuring every detail is perfect for the holiday event.
“I plan to keep doing this as long as I can,” Hardin said. “Seeing the kids smile and hearing the stories from their families makes it all worthwhile. It’s a reminder of why we do what we do.”
As the Grinch, Santa, and a merry band of elves made their final descent, the laughter and cheers from inside the hospital echoed through the crisp Charlotte air. For a moment, the challenges and worries of hospital life were replaced with wonder and joy—a holiday gift from Charlotte Fire that will be remembered long after the last rappel rope is packed away.
Firefighter Hector Rivera, dressed as an elf, prepares to bring smiles to young patients with a cheerful holiday rappel.