The weather outside was not at all frightful – six degrees with 11 km/h winds and perfect for Santa’s elves to land their Griffon helicopters on the SickKids rooftop, pouring rain notwithstanding.

This year’s Operation HO HO HO involved six elves, three hockey players, one mayor, and many excited children who didn’t mind waiting for the elves and hockey players to show up. Waiting, after all, is a skill you want to master by the time Santa rolls around.

Dozens of children participated in the event. Tables were set up for winter crafts, and there was room to play a bit of hockey and get autographs. As the children left, they were handed a gift, selected and wrapped according to their age and gender.

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford arrived at the University Ave. entrance by car, and was escorted to the Garden Patio by Mary Jo Haddad, President and CEO. He wasted no time in sitting down with the kids and decorating mini hockey sticks with “Go Leafs Go” lettering.

The elves and their seven helpers are members of 400 (City Of Toronto) Tactical Helicopter Squadron stationed in Camp Borden near Barrie. For the eighth year in a row they volunteered to deliver toys and books donated by members of communities in the Simcoe region. Their rooftop arrival was shown later on the SickKids channel so all the children in the hospital could get a glimpse of the event.

The hockey players – Jake Gardiner, Luke Schenn and John-Michael Liles from Toronto Maple Leafs accompanied by their faithful mascot, Carlton – signed autographs for the children and parents, as elves handed out presents.

“This is good distraction,” said Windsor resident Roch Ethier, father of Daniel, 12. “It’s a total surprise. We came in from Windsor and are having surgery tomorrow. We had no idea that this event was taking place.” – “Awesome,” echoed Daniel’s mother, Rachelle.

SickKids is a world leader in child health research and now, when you donate to our new Research & Learning Tower Campaign, your donations can go twice as far thanks to a generous matching program from the Government of Ontario.

Until March 31, 2012, your donation will be matched dollar for dollar, meaning you can help double the impact on the health of future generations of children. Scheduled to open in 2013, the state-of-the-art Research & Learning Tower will assemble more than 2,000 brilliant scientific minds under one roof to share ideas and make new discoveries that will help children locally, nationally and around the world.

“SickKids has a commitment to being better tomorrow than it is today,” says Ted Garrard, President and CEO of SickKids Foundation. “Research will help us keep that promise.”

Double your impact by clicking here.

(Donations over $25,000 will be matched $1 for every $2.)

Ava credits “the who’s” in her life for making her the healthy, positive person she is today.

A SickKids patient since birth, there are many people – “the who’s” – who contributed to her healing: specialists, doctors, nurses, surgeons, family, friends and her community.

Ava is so grateful to all of them: “Without “the who’s”, I would not have easily overcome the challenges set before me so early in life.”

During a special ceremony at her elementary school on Wednesday, Ava was officially named the 2011 SickKids Champion Child presented by Walmart Canada. This program is a Children’s Miracle Network initiative to honour children who have overcome severe medical challenges.

The day after she was born, Ava developed a brain hemorrhage that led to a series of complications. She suffered from a stroke, seizures and hydrocephalus, which is the build-up of fluid in the brain. To relieve pressure in her brain, a portion of her skull was removed and she had to wear a helmet for eight years for precaution as she healed. Today, Ava has a titanium plate in her head to replace the missing piece of skull.

Ava’s mother Rose once told her, “Everyone has a story. It is what you do with it that makes a difference.”

Ava has taken her mom’s advice to heart. She actively fundraises for SickKids and has raised more than $14,000 to date. Her strong desire to make a difference coupled with her infectious spirit make her an excellent Champion for SickKids.

In October, Ava will travel to Ottawa and Orlando, Florida, to meet Champions from other children’s hospitals across Canada and the United States. She will continue her term as Champion well into 2012 by supporting Walmart fundraising initiatives for Children’s Miracle Network.

Thanks Ava!