At Bethany Children’s Health Center, joy is more than a holiday theme — it’s central to the hospital’s mission of care and healing. During the Christmas season, that joy is amplified through the annual Joy of Christmas campaign, which invites the community to help make the season brighter for children who cannot be home for the holidays.
A hospital filled with hope
For more than 125 years, Bethany Children’s has provided expert care for children with complex medical needs. As Oklahoma’s only inpatient pediatric rehabilitation hospital, it is known not only for medical excellence but also for creating an environment where children can grow, learn and celebrate milestones.
Patients attend school year-round with special education teachers, take part in events like prom and are surrounded by staff who bring encouragement and positivity each day. The hospital’s goal is to ensure every child experiences moments of joy and normalcy, even during extended stays.
That same spirit of innovation is shaping the hospital’s future. Construction is more than halfway complete on a new outpatient center of excellence, designed in collaboration with former Disney Imagineers at Storyland Studios, set to open in 2027. The expansion will provide even more opportunities for children to heal, learn and thrive.
The Joy of Christmas campaign
Annually, from November through December, the Joy of Christmas campaign brings together individuals, businesses, churches and volunteer groups to provide gifts for children spending Christmas at the hospital.
Teachers, nurses and therapists create department wish lists with items such as toys, books, art supplies and therapy tools. Community members can shop the lists online and have gifts shipped directly to Bethany Children’s, making it easy to take part.
In 2024, the campaign provided more than $10,000 in patient gifts and over $85,000 in therapeutic and educational supplies. Gifts are delivered to patients — complete with a visit from Santa Claus — creating moments of joy that children treasure.
Recoveries and stories of impact
The impact of this giving extends far beyond the holiday season. In March, patient Kobe Devot was discharged after a long recovery from a serious car accident in 2024. With the support of therapy, education and medical teams, he made significant progress and was able to finish his senior year of high school.
The incredible care and innovation happening at Bethany Children’s is made possible, in part, thanks to the community’s support.
Levi Asher, who suffered a traumatic brain injury in an ATV accident, also spent time at Bethany Children’s. After his discharge this past summer, he chose to donate his own birthday money to the hospital’s outpatient expansion project, a gesture that reflects the impact the staff and care team had on his life.
Another patient, Larkin Lee, has been part of the hospital’s outpatient therapy services program. Living with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC), Larkin is unable to feed himself without assistance. His care team spent months working with him to build the skills needed to use a robotic Obi Feeder. Thanks to their persistence and advocacy, Medicaid ultimately approved coverage for the device. Today, Larkin has new independence and freedom at mealtimes.
Your gift of joy this holiday season
This holiday season, the hospital invites the community once again to take part in the Joy of Christmas campaign. Donating is simple — visit bethanychildrens.org/joy-of-
Each contribution helps ensure that children at Bethany Children’s experience the warmth and celebration of the season, no matter their circumstances.
For more information or to donate, visit bethanychildrens.org/joy-of-
Editor’s note: Bethany Children’s Health Center provides pediatric primary care, behavioral health and other specialized medical and therapy services to children in Oklahoma. Learn more about Bethany Children’s, the Joy of Christmas campaign and the planned expansion of outpatient services at bethanychildrens.org.
