When Jenny Wood and her husband moved to St. Louis to raise their family, she never imagined that one day she would leave behind a legacy shining brightly each winter. And when the 98-year-old thinks of the fondest memories in her life, she attributes many of them to St. Louis Children's Hospital. Born in Indiana, she and her husband, Woody, moved to St. Louis and raised their two children, Steven and Patricia. Unfortunately, Steven passed away at the age of 22. Her son loved helping other kids, and after losing him, Jenny said she knew she had to do something for children. His passing prompted Jenny to get involved with St. Louis Children's Hospital Auxiliary.

Her first volunteer role was in the gift shop, but she quickly learned she was better suited for patient-family interactions in the various hospital clinics. Jenny loved getting to know the kids and the families and wanted to do something spectacular. Her involvement soon grew into a leadership role, and she approached the Auxiliary's Board of Directors to pitch an idea for a holiday light festival and was initially turned down. She persevered and presented the idea a second time the following year, when she was granted permission to proceed.

In 1983, Love Light was brought to life. Woody's company sent a cherry picker and crew to help hang lights outside the hospital. He also asked the hospital staff to create a giant switch for the lighting ceremony-the same switch still used to light up the hospital 43 years later. Jenny called in every favor she could that first year to make the event a success, including reaching out to a friend at a local TV station to spread the word to local musicians who could perform free of charge. Love Light became a cherished holiday tradition, and Jenny and Woody had truly created something magical for the St. Louis Children's patients and families.

Even after Jenny and Woody moved to Florida, she stayed involved. A lifetime member of the Friends of St. Louis Children's Hospital, she knew that leaving St. Louis didn't mean walking away from a place that had given her so much joy. After much discussion, the Woods decided to commit a charitable bequest to the St. Louis Children's Hospital Foundation that will establish the Jean and Maurice Wood Music Therapy Endowment. "I hope it does a little bit of good," Jenny says about the gift she and Woody, who passed away in 2014, made to ensure they would leave a lasting impact beyond their lifetimes.

For Jenny, every time she thinks of St. Louis Children's, her heart fills up. She encourages others to make a planned gift before it's too late. "I hope people who get to know St. Louis Children's will feel the same way that we did." Jenny is grateful that Love Light and her time at St. Louis Children's gave her purpose, and giving back is her way of saying thank you.