Hospital’s beacon of hope, fake flamingos, survive wildfire

SPARKS, Nev. (AP) - A Nevada hospital’s beacon of hope, which comes in the form of a flock of fake flamingos, was spared from a lightning-caused wildfire that threatened homes and the hospital.

The Reno Gazette-Journal reports (https://on.rgj.com/2vM2n1N ) the lawn ornaments on the hillside behind the Northern Nevada Medical Center have become a symbol of hope for patients and staff. They were threatened on Sunday by a fire that charred thousands of acres.

Lita McCaw, director for case management for inpatient rehabilitation, says two daughters of a patient in his 70s put the flamingos out on the hillside in 2015.

McCaw says the daughters wanted to cheer up their father who had a stroke and was depressed. But instead, they’ve cheered up scores of patients who have cracked a smile at the pink birds throughout the past two years.

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Information from: Reno Gazette-Journal, https://www.rgj.com