LV HOSPITAL:

More than one dozen mascots, including meLVin from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Lehigh University’s Clutch the Mountain Hawk and the Just Born Peep, as well as Santa Claus, visited patients and staff Dec. 7 for “A Pathway to Santa” at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Muhlenberg, Bethlehem.

The Liberty High School Choir and Orchestra provided entertainment.

“A Pathway to Santa” is an annual holiday celebration organized by the late Bruce Smith of Palmer Township. Smith was a lung-cancer survivor and for eight years encouraged local businesses, schools and not-for-profit organizations to join him in spreading holiday joy to patients and staff on various units at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Muhlenberg.

Smith, 69, who died in June, was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2007. He was treated at the Infusion Center at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Muhlenberg.

Smith raised more than $260,000 in gift in-kind donations for cancer patients over the years.