Friendswood kids enjoy holiday party

Children with physical and mental challenges experienced the joy of the holidays at a "Touch, Smell and Hear" event.

Approximately 425 children with physical and mental challenges attended the 37th annual "Touch, Smell and Hear" event on Monday, Dec. 6, at the John P. McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science, 1515 Hermann Drive.

Event host Harris County Medical Society Alliance and St. John's Upper School Community Service members decorated two 12-foot trees, donated by Thompson's Landscaping of Tomball, with ornaments that the children were able to experience through the senses of sight, sound, smell, and touch. The ornaments included bubble-blowing machines, fresh oranges with cloves and ornaments with feathers, fur and more.

St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church Choir sang holiday music. Holiday cookies, donated by Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital, were served. Santa was on hand to give each child a teddy bear and candy cane.

Attendees were students from Houston, Pearland, Katy and Friendswood Independent School Districts.

The Harris County Medical Society Alliance was established in 1919 for the spouses of the Harris County Medical Society. The Alliance's mission is to engage in educational and philanthropic activities while fostering fellowship. The HCMS, established in 1903, is the professional organization for physicians in Harris County. It is the largest county medical society in the nation with a membership of nearly 11,000 physicians and medical students. Its mission is to be the leading advocate for member physicians, their patients and the community, and to promote the highest standards of ethical medical practice, access to quality medical care, medical education, research and community health.