By Chris Spangler
President/CEO Mike Anderson had the honor of flipping the switch as Fort Memorial Hospital held its 39th annual Love Lights tree-lighting ceremony Tuesday evening.
Sponsored by Fort HealthCare Partners, the event also featured a seasonal message by the Rev. Madeline Burbank of Trinity Lutheran Church in Fort Atkinson.
Anderson, who also offered a welcome and led the Pledge of Allegiance, assumed Fort HealthCare’s reins in January following the retirement of Mike Wallace.
He has held various positions within Fort HealthCare since 2003, in addition to his role as an otolaryngologist at the Ears, Nose and Throat Clinic. Among them were chief of surgery, medical director of perioperative services and chief of staff, and on the board of directors, senior vice president, medical affairs and chief medical officer.
Fort HealthCare Partners Co-Presidents Kathy Kakuschke and Jane Winiarski led the tree dedication and lighting countdown. Winiarski noted that approximately $800,000 had been raised through Love Lights in the previous 38 years.
Guitarist Jason Lynk led attendees in a sing-a-long that concluded with “O Christmas Tree.”
Refreshments and visits with Santa Claus took place in the café afterward.
The lights are being displayed on five new trees decorating the hospital’s Sherman Avenue lawn. They were hung courtesy of Cloute Inc.
The Love Lights Tree project began in 1985. Each is a gift to honor someone — with a colored light — or as a memorial — with a white light — for a loved one who has died.
Funds raised during this year’s Love Lights campaign will be used to help subsidize the cost of the CareLine service for those who cannot afford it. CareLine is a medical personal emergency response service that allows subscribers to get emergency help 24/7 at the press of a button.
In addition, Love Lights funds will go toward supporting several healthcare scholarships for students and professionals in the community.
While the Love Lights now are twinkling, donations continue to be accepted. A donation of $2 or more can be ordered by mail or online at FortHealthCare.com/LoveLights. A $5 minimum is required for online donations, which is automatically for two names.
Cards are available to notify the person or family of someone being remembered that a Love Light has been purchased in their honor.
To ensure those making donations to the project are properly recognized in this year’s sponsor and donor listings, donations must be received by Friday, Dec. 8. However, they will be accepted after that date as well.
Corporate sponsorships are available at three levels: Silver, $200 to $299; Gold, $300 to $399, and Platinum, $400 and above.
Those wishing to make a donation are encouraged to write checks to Love Light Tree, and send them via mail to Fort Memorial Hospital Partners, 611 Sherman Ave. East, Fort Atkinson, WI, 53538-1998.
Love Lights also may be purchased online at https://www.forthealthcare.com/lovelights-donation/.
For more information about Fort HealthCare Partners and volunteering, call (920) 568-5276 or toll-free at 1-800-421-4677 ext. 5276 or visit FortHealthcare.com/volunteer.
Guitarist Jason Lynk leads attendees in a sing-a-long that concluded with “O Christmas Tree.”
Two photos above: Attendees listen to Fort HealthCare Partners Co-Presidents Kathy Kakuschke and Jane Winiarski, both not pictured, lead the tree dedication.
The Rev. Madeline Burbank of Trinity Lutheran Church in Fort Atkinson offers holiday thoughts.
Fort HealthCare President/CEO Mike Anderson flips the switch, lighting the five new Love Light Trees.
Fort HealthCare Partners Co-Presidents Jane Winiarski, at left, and Kathy Kakuschke visit Santa Claus following the tree-lighting ceremony.
Martha Sykes, at left, and Sue McKechnie, both of Fort Atkinson, enjoy hot chocolate and cookies.
Nora Congdon, at left, and Rebecca Christ serve Christmas cookies and hot chocolate after the tree-lighting ceremony.
Three photos above: Five new trees recently planted on the East Sherman Avenue lawn of Fort Memorial Hospital make their Love Lights debut. The lights were hung courtesy of Cloute Inc.
Chris Spangler photos.
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