UToledo Health is providing free admission to the National Museum of the Great Lakes during the museum’s holiday celebration and giveback event on Saturday, Dec. 7.
The event, which includes a visit from Santa and the arrival of a tugboat loaded with fresh-cut Christmas trees, will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The boat is scheduled to arrive at 1:30 p.m.
The museum is located at 1701 Front St. on the east side of the Maumee River in downtown Toledo. Free parking is available.
The annual event is inspired by the traditional lakeside delivery of Christmas trees to port cities throughout the Great Lakes and the 1912 sinking of the schooner Rouse Simmons, which went down in Lake Michigan while carrying Christmas trees.
The modern-day interpretation of the Christmas tree ship gives individuals the opportunity to buy a tree for themselves or purchase one to donate to a family in need.
While the deadline has passed to purchase a tree from this year’s ship, the National Museum of the Great Lakes and UToledo Health are working with a number of community partners to provide families with gift cards to help support their holiday needs.
UToledo Health will match every holiday support donation with a healthy hygiene kit containing items such as shampoo and toothbrushes for community members in need.
For more information about the event, or to make a donation, visit the website of the National Museum of the Great Lakes.
