11-28-18 — Demopolis, Ala. — Nelly Ortega-Duran, 2018 Special Child for Christmas on the River, smiles after pulling the switch to light the Love Lights Tree at Bryan W. Whitfield Hospital. Nelly is being held by her mother, Esmeralda, and is accompanied by Linde McAdams, who announces the Special Child.
Princess Nelly Ortega-Duran was named Christmas on the River 2018 Special Child at Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital. After being introduced by Linde McAdams, Nelly threw the switch to light the Love Lights Tree, which signals the beginning of Christmas on the River festivities in Demopolis each year. Nelly, who lives life with spina bifida-myelomeningocele type, is the daughter of Esmeralda Duran and is a first-grader at Westside Elementary School.
11-28-18 — Demopolis, Ala. — Nelly Ortega-Duran, 2018 Special Child for Christmas on the River, is shown with the Love Lights Tree at Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital. Nelly pulled the switch to light the tree, which marks the beginning of Christmas on the River festivities in Demopolis.
