Lighting up the Night for Patients of Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Standing alongside first responders and fellow community partners, Capital Square team members recently helped create an unforgettable experience filled with joy at the fourth annual Goodnight Lights at Children’s Hospital of Richmond (CHoR) at VCU.
Held on April 30, 2026, the hospital’s 106th birthday and the third anniversary of the opening of the Children’s Tower, Goodnight Lights once again illuminated the streets around the hospital. Crowds of community supporters far below shined lights upward to young patients watching from their rooms. Patients waved their lights back, creating a powerful interaction of unity and encouragement.
“The night’s energy was something I have never felt before,” said Laura Gomez, Capital Square’s Director of Talent Acquisition. “There was already a sea of lights when we arrived, and we were quickly outfitted with glow sticks, flashlights, hair clips, and more by members of CHoR. I had initially refused a pair of earplugs, but the person handing them out laughed and insisted that they would be needed. She was right. When the 8:45 p.m. struck, the parade of lights and sirens began. It was immediately organized chaos – ambulances, military vehicles, firefighters were everywhere. You’d look up and see helicopters circling the building, shining their spotlight in the windows of the tower. A crowd of pedestrians were shining flashlights, cheering, and dancing the entire time.”
For the children, the moment was simple yet powerful: a reminder that they are supported by an entire community.
“We saw the glimmering lights appear in the windows and suddenly the outlined figures of children and their parents dancing throughout the hospital,” continued Gomez. “One of the firetrucks had a lit-up ladder that firefighters climbed up to wave at the children as well. Even the President of Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, Elias Neujahr, was outside celebrating and hugging people throughout the event. It was truly a remarkable and joyous celebration.”
Capital Square’s long-standing support of the Children’s Hospital becomes even stronger in moments like this. The firm has supported the hospital through a variety of initiatives, including toy drives that brighten holidays for young patients, participating in the annual CHoR Thanksgiving parade, answering the phones during the annual Radiothon to raise critical funds, holding LemonAid fundraisers across the state of Virginia, and even donating royalties from Louis Rogers’ book, Section 1031 Exchanges: How to Swap Till Ya’ Drop, Building Family Wealth While Minimizing Taxes, to benefit children and families receiving care.
Events like Goodnight Lights underscore the power of sustained community engagement. For Capital Square, it is not just about showing up for one evening. It is about celebrating milestones, supporting meaningful initiatives and reinforcing a deep commitment to the health and well-being of Richmond’s children and families.
This is how we answer our rallying cry to be the change needed in the communities where we work, live, build and invest.
