Winthrop Celebrates 20th Annual Tree Lighting

(Back Row: L - R): Paul S. Cusato, Trustee, Village of Mineola; Mineola Deputy Mayor Lawrence Werther; Daniel P. Walsh, Winthrop's President and Chief Executive Officer; John Davanzo, Trustee, Village of Mineola; Linda Fairgrieve, Trustee, Village of Mineola. (Front Row: L - R): Beth Long (Sullivan twins' grandmother); Caroline Sullivan, Patrick K. Long, Chairman of Winthrop's Board of Directors, and the twins' grandfather; Caitlin Sullivan; Dermot Sullivan; Kevin Sullivan, (twins' dad); Ellie Sullivan and Annie Sullivan (twins' mom). Winthrop-University Hospital kicked off the holiday season on December 5th with its 20th Annual Tree Lighting. Garden City twins Caroline and Caitlin Sullivan, "graduates" of Winthrop's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, enthusiastically helped light the tree.

"Team Winthrop always looks forward to sharing our special ceremony with the entire community," said Daniel P. Walsh, President and Chief Executive Officer, Winthrop. "For the past two decades Winthrop's majestic evergreen has been a symbol of strength for the Hospital and community. It has grown and prospered as both Winthrop and the Mineola community have over the past 100 years."

Prior to the lighting of the tree, the Mineola High School Concert Singers-directed by Ms. Megan Messina-entertained the crowd with a delightful selection of holiday songs to help kick off the season.

The Sullivan twins' excited reactions as they lit the tree drew applause and laughter from the crowd.