Dallas, TX -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/05/2011 -- To kick off the holiday season, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children (TSRHC) hosted a holiday tree lighting and decorating ceremony on November 29th 2011 at the hospital in Dallas. Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and TSRHC patient Ellie Stiernagle, age 3 of Frisco, Texas, officially lit TSRHC’s giant holiday tree. Following the tree lighting, more than 400 area volunteer groups and TSRHC friends, representing Dallas-area organizations, decorated trees placed throughout the hospital. Santa Claus was also present to spread holiday cheer, and the Town North Concert Band provided holiday music. Following the decorating extravaganza, dinner was provided for all participants.

Ellie Stiernagle, age 3 of Frisco, Texas, first visited TSRHC this past May. Ellie's experience at the hospital began in pediatric orthopedics http://www.tsrhc.org/pediatric-orthopedics.htm, and since then, she has been seen in neurology http://www.tsrhc.org/pediatric-neurology.htm where she is treated for toe walking. According to her mom, Ellie has experienced many "firsts" at TSRHC, and says she feels comfortable in the warm hospital environment and appreciates the loving care she receives from the nurses and doctors. Ellie fondly refers to TSRHC as the "Popcorn Hospital." When Ellie is not playing with her younger brother, Weston, she loves to sing, color, bake and play with her princess dolls. With Ellie's joyful spirit and caring nature, she is sure to kick off TSRHC’s holiday season and spread cheer to others by lighting the hospital’s holiday tree.

About TSRHC
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children is one of the nation's leading pediatric centers for the treatment of orthopaedic conditions, such as scoliosis http://www.tsrhc.org/scoliosis-spine.htm, clubfoot http://www.tsrhc.org/clubfoot-foot-disorders.htm, hip dysplasia http://www.tsrhc.org/hip-dyslasia-perthes.htm, hand disorders http://www.tsrhc.org/hand-disorders.htm, and Legg-Perthes http://www.tsrhc.org/hip-dysplasia-legg-perthes.htm, and certain related neurological disorders and learning disorders, such as dyslexia. Admission is open to Texas children from birth up to 18 years of age. Patients receive treatment regardless of the family's ability to pay. For more information, to volunteer or to make a donation, please call (214) 559-5000 or (800) 421-1121 or http://www.tsrhc.org.