Seven-year-old twins to grand marshal Joplin Christmas Parade
Local twin brothers are national Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals champions
Freeman Health System has announced that seven-year-old twins will be grand marshaling the 2021 Joplin Christmas Parade.
Isaac and Easton Howard were recently named National Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® Champions. Freeman is one of 125 Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals in the country, and the Howard twins now represent CMN hospitals nationwide.
Isaac and Easton will lead the parade in an antique red pick-up truck tying in with this year’s theme – Cruisin’ to Christmas.
“Having the boys be chosen for the parade grand marshals is a great honor,” said LauRae Howard, Isaac and Easton’s mother. “They have been through so much in their lives and being able to take part in events like this is so special for them. I can’t wait to see the joy and excitement on their faces. Children’s Miracle Network has done so much for our family and community, and it is a privilege to be able to give back and help spread awareness of the wonderful things they do.”
“We’re honored to have CMN’s national champions as grand marshals of the Joplin Christmas Parade this year,” said Paula F. Baker, Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer. “It’s especially fitting because Isaac and Easton have received life-changing services right here at Freeman since they were infants. They’re part our CMN family, and we look forward to seeing them grow and thrive throughout their lives.”
Isaac and Easton have been helped by CMN with equipment, nutritional needs, travel expenses and two service dogs since 2014, when they were just five-days-old.
Their first service dog, Murphy, recently retired and was replaced with Ace, who just finished his training. Isaac has also received services at the Bill and Virginia Leffen Center for Autism.
“Because the Joplin Christmas parade benefits our local Children’s Miracle Network, I can’t think of a more fitting connection than to have Isaac and Easton, along with their service dog Ace, as the Grand Marshals for this year’s parade,” said Ryan Melton, Freeman Interim Executive Director of Development.
Children’s Miracle Network Hospital at Freeman Health System raises funds for local children and families. These individuals receive assistance with medical needs, such as prescriptions, medical equipment and specialty care.
Funds are also raised to support equipment, medical supplies, educational programs and more for Freeman pediatric and maternal/child departments, including Freeman Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Freeman Maternity Center and pediatric departments.
One hundred percent of every dollar raised locally stays local – donations help children and their families in 14 counties in Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas.