COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Prisma Health Children's Hospital and Santa are working together to make sure patients' parents can still pull off Christmas.

Each year the hospital turns its bottom floor into what they call Santa's toy store and gift-wrapping center. The store is for the parents of young patients who will be spending the holidays in the hospital.

"So every year we set up our holiday market. So when we have patients who are here throughout the Christmas holidays. They can come down, shop while they're here. It's no cost to them. Once they're finished shopping in here we actually have volunteers set up in our lobby to wrap everything they picked out," explained child life specialist at the Children's Hospital, Jordan Parker.

For first-time parents like Annetionetta Lawton, this gesture lifts a big weight off her shoulders.

"I really thought she wasn't going to be able to get anything or do anything for Christmas," said Lawton. "But now that this is happening, I'm actually excited for Christmas. Instead of being down about it or sad about it because your first priority when your child is in the hospital is not gifts. It's usually about their well-being. Their health. This just made Christmas special for me and my family."

Nicole Sprague and her 5-year-old daughter have been in the hospital for more than a week. She told WIS News 10 that her daughter has already had four open heart surgeries.

"Huge help! Without this, I don't know what I would do. This is so sweet. I can't thank you enough," said Sprague.

The hospital said they can see as many as 150 inpatients during the holidays, and this is a way the comSantaunity and santa are spreading Christmas cheer.