Crews with the Orlando Fire Department and Orange County Fire Rescue Department surprise patients with rappelling elves and Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus made a special visit to AdventHealth for Children, and they brought a team of nimble elves with them to help patients celebrate the holiday season.

The annual Elf Rappel event featured Friends of the North Pole in the form of first responders from Orlando Fire Department and Orange County Fire Rescue Department. They brought fire trucks, tall ladders and rappelling gear to see children up close through the windows of AdventHealth for Children. This is the fourth year for an event that allows first responders to give back in a meaningful and heartfelt way to the youngest members of the community they serve.

“As firefighters, we enjoy helping people, but we all have a special place in our hearts for children,” said Capt. Greg Hubbard of Orange County Fire Rescue, Special Operations. “For just a moment these kids forget that they are here at the hospital for medical treatment. Seeing that, seeing the happiness on their faces, really means a lot to us.”

“We’ve all faced a lot of difficulties throughout the year, and we now have an opportunity in non-emergency conditions to go down and put a lot of smiles on children’s faces, and that’s really the best part of days like today,” said Aaron Rhodes, District Chief of Special Operations, Orlando Fire Department.