Country music veteran Deborah Allen helped spread holiday cheer to children in need this year by stopping by the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, where she read her book, The Loneliest Christmas Tree, and donated 90 ukuleles.

While there, Deborah made a special surprise presentation of 90 ukuleles to the Children's Music Department. Children who are battling illnesses will learn to play them while staying in the hospital. This has a special Murfreesboro connection, as construction of the new Vanderbilt Children's Hospital on Garrison Drive, across from Murfreesboro Medical Clinic, is nearing completion.

Allen said, "Christmas is a wonderful time of love and giving. This year I was so excited to stop by and visit with the children and read my book, The Loneliest Christmas Tree."

Deborah Allen's The Loneliest Christmas Tree is in its second printed edition, and is also now available as an audio / video book with limited edition autographed copies at www.DeborahAllen.com.

To make a donation to Vanderbilt Children's hospital, visit www.childrenshospitalvanderbilt.org/information/ways-help.