Alabama SCI Chapter Children's Hospital
The Start of a Permanent Trail

The gracious acceptance of the Tom duBois prints by the hospital and the enthusiasm of Denise Dexter give Richard McFalls incentive to do more. Denise and Rich had already discussed a permanent trail through the hospital. It is now fast approaching Christmas and Christmas decorating is one of Rich’s fortes. Rich asked if the hospital would be interested in a number of large Christmas animated Disney characters. These would be donated in the name of the Alabama Chapter of SCI, through the generosity of Richard McFalls.

For background information, Richard McFalls has always been a kid at heart. Disney characters were his favorites and he loved shopping in the Disney Stores. Over the years he has acquired a collection of 24 Christmas animated Disney characters. There would probably have been more but they quit selling them. These are about 3 feet tall and each one moves and sings or plays music. The McFalls, Rich and Terry, would decorate for Christmas each year with the focus being on the animated characters. Traffic got so bad in the neighborhood with everyone wanting to see the displays that many neighbors had a problem getting to their homes at night.
Rich brought 5 of the characters in for the hospital to see. They were thrilled. Ideas began to pour forth. Denise, along with Joy Daugherty of Interior Scapes, starts working on the details of the trail. In the meantime requests are sent out to the membership of the Alabama Chapter of SCI for more items to be used on the trail. Several members make large contributions of Christmas decorating items. About this time Mrs. Betty Bassett contacted Denise with the offer of her lifetime collection of Dickens Village. Things were really starting to come together. Along with the 24 animated Disney characters, the Dickens Village, Christmas trees from Joy Daugherty and an assortment of other Christmas items, there was Santa Claus. As you can see from the pictures the first Holiday Trail was an enormous success.
In the hospital the families take their children around in old style wagons. The Holiday Trail is intended to make the hospital a happier, brighter environment for the children. At first it was to be named the Christmas Trail, but this limited the decoration to just one holiday. Thus the name Holiday Trail came about. The Holiday Trail will be changing with the seasons and holidays, therefore nothing will be static.
By sharing our blessings we can see a few minutes of happiness and a smile on the faces of sick children who would otherwise be experiencing sadness and fear. There are all kinds of medicine and happiness ranks among the best.