KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — First responders headed out in full force Tuesday evening, but not on their usual kinds of calls. They were planning to go to the East Tennessee Children's Hospital at 6 p.m. to show their support for the patients inside.
They called it the 'Shine Our Lights' event. Officers from the Knoxville Police Department were expected to be joined by members from the Knoxville Fire Department, the Knox County Sheriff's Office, the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the University of Tennessee Police Department.
They said they would drive around the hospital with their emergency lights on, unified in a show of support for children in the hospital.
"We hope this unified show of support brought some joy to these courageous children and their families this holiday season," officials with the Knoxville Police Department said.
Children in the hospital walked up to the windows and waved back at the responders during the event.