Holiday Express Spreads Cheer at Blythedale

Tim McLoone and Holiday Express threw a concert for the kids on Friday, December 6 at Blythedale Children's Hospital. The festive group has been coming to Blythedale for more than three decades with radio legend Scott Shannon, performing holiday hits during Shannon's popular live radio broadcast/fundraiser for Blythedale. They shared the stage at Blythedale in December 2022 for Shannon's last broadcast before retiring.

At the Hospital's Rock n' Roll Celebration of Blythedale last year at Current at Chelsea Piers, Tim McLoone and Holiday Express surprised gala honorees Scott Shannon and Gene Ferrara by performing throughout the evening.

"After you celebrated Scott last year and we surprised him," said Tim McLoone. "I thought to myself, 'why don't we still continue going to Blythedale' and here we are."

Staff and patients alike were treated to lots of well-known holiday songs. Staff also enjoyed coffee, hot cocoa and donuts from Duck Donuts, and decorated ornaments. At the concert, both staff and patients had the opportunity to sing with the band. Additionally, Holiday Express brought out a few of their friends, including The Grinch, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, and Santa Claus himself. 

Longtime Hospital supporter Gene Ferrara also helped brighten the season by raising nearly $50,000 for the Hospital and donating a tremendous amount non-perishable food items, as well as necessities like hand soap, Clorox wipes, and laundry detergent for our patient families. A huge thanks to JMA Consultants and Pratt Industries. 

"We're so deeply grateful to our good friends Gene and Tim, and the members of Holiday Express," said Blythedale President & CEO Larry Levine. "You can feel the excitement and magic in the room, and they've made this all possible." 

To listen to some of the concert, and hear from both Tim and Gene, click the video below: