Charlotte Firefighters Rappel Down Hospital to Deliver Holiday Smiles
Published on December 17, 2025
Not even the Grinch could resist this view. One of Charlotte Fire’s festive volunteers gives a wave mid-rappel, proving even green-hearted guests can spread joy.
By Kevin Campbell, Charlotte Fire
Just hours after battling a structure fire that sent one person to the emergency room, Charlotte Firefighters were once again on ropes. But this time, they weren’t there to fight flames. They were there to bring hope.
Twelve stories above the city, dressed in Santa suits, elf hats, and the unmistakable green fur of the Grinch, firefighters rappelled down the windows of Levine Childrens Hospital to deliver joy to the kids spending their holidays inside.
“This is the fourth time we’ve done this,” said Captain Jason Hardin, who has helped organize the event since it began. “We’re here to give some kids a smile. A lot of them have been in the hospital for a while, especially over the holidays. That can be really tough for the kids and their families. So we just want to lift their spirits.”
Decked out in holiday flair, Charlotte Firefighters from Engine 10 gather on the rooftop before their descent. For many of them, this is the best day of the year.
The tradition began several years ago with a simple question: how could Charlotte Fire bring a little holiday magic to children who can’t go outside? The answer became this annual rappel, with Levine Childrens Hospital and Atrium Health opening their doors to the idea and helping it grow into something families look forward to every year.
Now, each December, firefighters gear up in climbing harnesses and festive costumes, make their way to the roof, and begin their slow descent past the hospital’s glass exterior. They pause at each window to wave, pose, and spread cheer.
“We try to pass by every room that has a child in it,” Hardin said. “We want every kid to have a moment.”
From a drone’s eye view, Charlotte Firefighters descend 12 stories to wave into hospital windows and share holiday cheer with children and families at Levine Childrens.
This year, the moment carried extra meaning. Before the rappelling event even began, many of the firefighters had already worked multiple incidents across the city, including a structure fire that displaced families and left one person hospitalized.
“We deal with tragedy on a regular basis,” Hardin said. “To go from something difficult like that to this—seeing kids laugh and wave and smile. It hits home in a different way. It’s a reset for a lot of us.”
For the children inside the hospital, the sight of Santa or a grumpy Grinch waving at their window is more than a distraction. It’s something to look forward to. Something unexpected. Something joyful.
A Charlotte Firefighter dressed as the Grinch gives a thumbs-up before rappelling 12 stories down Levine Children’s Hospital. The holiday spirit was in full swing as kids waved from their windows and the Grinch’s heart grew a few sizes that day.
Hardin, a father himself, said he understands how deeply these moments can matter. His own daughter spent a night at Levine earlier this year after breaking her arm.
“It was just one night, but it really stuck with me,” he said. “I was thinking about the families who are here for ten days or more. Some of them are here for months. I can't imagine that. Being able to bring a moment of joy to kids who are going through that means everything.”
That sense of empathy is shared across the team. Several firefighters taking part in this year’s event have had children treated at Levine or know someone who has. For them, the rappel is about more than rope work. It’s about connection.
Captains David Bowman and Mike Feneis take a quick break to share a laugh on the roof of Levine Childrens before joining the day’s rappel.
“Seeing the kids light up. It’s one of the best parts of the year for us,” Hardin said. “A lot of the guys out here won’t admit it, but this hits them emotionally. It sticks with you.”
While Santa is always a favorite, it’s the Grinch who has become a surprise superstar over the past few years.
“The Grinch was kind of a joke the first year,” Hardin said, laughing. “Somebody brought the costume last minute, just for fun. But the kids went wild for it. Now we’ve got just as many Grinches as Santas. Maybe more.”
A Charlotte Firefighter in full Santa gear taps gently on a patient’s window from high above, creating a moment of magic that won’t soon be forgotten.
The Grinch costumes have grown more elaborate over time. One firefighter spent the entire descent pretending to steal holiday decorations from the windows. Another waved a fuzzy green hand in mock frustration as children giggled from their beds.
Hospital staff say the event has become a bright spot not only for the kids, but also for families and care teams.
“We make sure to tell the kids ahead of time that something special is happening,” said a nurse on one of the pediatric floors. “We say, ‘Keep an eye on your window. Santa might stop by today.’ That sense of excitement changes everything.”
Firefighter camaraderie meets Christmas spirit as Charlotte Fire crewmembers top off their gear with Santa hats before heading over the edge at Levine Childrens Hospital.
It’s also become an opportunity for the fire department to connect with the community in a different way. Firefighters are used to meeting people during their worst moments. This event flips that script.
“This is joy,” Hardin said. “This is something they’ll remember. It’s fun, it’s lighthearted, and it reminds us of the other side of service.”
Though the event has value as a rope skills refresher for the crews, training is not the primary focus. The harnesses and safety lines are real, but the most important equipment is the smile.
Crews check gear and gets set for descent, combining rope safety with just the right amount of holiday mischief.
“There’s no rescue happening today,” Hardin said. “But there is joy. There’s connection. And that’s just as important.”
Fire Chief Reginald Johnson praised the team’s dedication, especially considering the demanding start to their day.
“Our firefighters went from helping families through some of their hardest moments this morning to lifting up children in the most beautiful way just hours later,” Johnson said. “It speaks to their character, their compassion, and the deep sense of service they carry with them every day.”
Charlotte Fire Captain Jeff Bright rappels down the side of Levine Childrens Hospital, helping bring moments of joy to young patients during a day filled with both action and compassion.
For the kids and families at Levine, the event was more than a show. It was a message. One that said, you are not forgotten. You are seen. You matter.
Inside the rooms, kids pressed their hands to the glass. Firefighters did the same from the outside. A silent connection made through a pane of glass and a shared moment of wonder. In a place where so much is uncertain, that moment brought clarity. A reminder that someone cares.
The colorful entrance of Levine Childrens Hospital sets the stage for a tradition that’s become as anticipated as the holidays themselves.
As the last firefighter reached the ground and the ropes were packed away, the crew gathered in the parking lot, many still in costume, sharing laughs and stories about the day’s reactions.
“This is the highlight of the season for a lot of us,” Hardin said. “It’s a chance to give back in a way that’s joyful. That matters. And it’s a way to remind ourselves why we signed up for this job in the first place.”
Firefighter Justin Ranson, dressed as Santa Claus, stands ready atop the roof of Levine Children’s Hospital before rappelling down to surprise young patients inside. Ranson was one of the many Charlotte Firefighters who took part in the heartwarming holiday tradition.
Back inside Levine Childrens, kids were still talking about Santa and the Grinch. Drawings were being taped to windows. Parents shared photos with family members. And for at least one day, the hospital didn’t feel quite so heavy.
For Charlotte Fire, the goal is simple. Keep coming back. Keep waving. Keep rappelling.
Because even after a long day and a hard morning, joy still deserves the last word.
Firefighter Brandon Mulligan trades turnout gear for a Santa suit and rappelling harness, bringing smiles to Levine Childrens one window at a time.