Paula Creamer and Johnny Damon

Kristy McPherson and Miraesla Mandes, a patient at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children

LPGA golfers Paula Creamer and Kristy McPherson along with Santa Claus brought holiday cheer and gifts to young patients at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando. Creamer and McPherson were joined by other Central Florida professional athletes and celebrities including New York Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon; former Major Leaguer Ken Griffey Sr.; PGA TOUR golfer D.A. Points; retired Orlando Magic forward Pat Garrity; Olympic swimming gold medalists Rowdy Gaines and Ed Moses as well as former professional wrestler Dale "The Demon" Torborg. Guitarist Mark Tremonti of the rock band "Alter Bridge" spearheaded the effort.

"Unfortunately, illnesses and injuries don't take vacations during the holidays. Hospitalizations happen all year long," said Jeff Muddell, Arnold Palmer Medical Center Foundation. "So, for these children, who are already receiving world-class care at Arnold Palmer Hospital, to be visited by Santa and these celebrities really gives them an extra dose of medicine and nurtures the healing environment, which is so very helpful this time of year."

The visit was the first event of the "Team Orlando" initiative, created to rally Central Florida's professional athletes and celebrities around the mission of Arnold Palmer Medical Center, consisting of not-for-profit community-based Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies.

Group shot of all the professional athletes and celebrities