The 36th annual Love Light Tree-lighting ceremony will take place at Fort Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, Dec. 7.
The Fort HealthCare Partners will be hosting the event at 6:30 p.m. on the Sherman Avenue lawn in front of the Fort Atkinson hospital, according to a recent press release.
The public is invited, but attendees are asked to wear a facemask due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ceremony also may be watched via Facebook LIVE from any location, the release continued.
The Love Lights program began in 1985 as a way to acknowledge loved ones who are still living or those that have passed away with colored and white lights, respectively, decorating the hospital trees. Asking a minimum of $2 per light, the auxiliary since has been raising money to purchase new equipment, and provide education and services for Fort Memorial Hospital, the release noted.
Funds raised during the 2021 Love Lights campaign will be used to help subsidize the cost of the CareLine service for those who cannot afford it. CareLine offers a medical personal emergency response system, allowing subscribers to get emergency help 24/7 at the press of a button, providing peace-of-mind to both the subscriber and his or her family, the release stated.
Additionally, funds will be used to support several healthcare scholarships for students and healthcare professionals in the area.
“We would like to raise funds for our CareLine Program because there are people in our community who have chronic health conditions who cannot afford this life saving equipment and service. This money will allow the Partners CareLine Program to provide free or reduced rates for qualifying clients to receive the service. CareLine allows individuals to remain in their homes and avoid losing their independence,” Kari Behling, Fort HealthCare volunteer services manager was quoted as saying in the release.
She added: “Continuing to provide these two very important services to members of our local community is critical for maintaining our commitment to bettering the lives of our friends, neighbors and family. To keep these commitments a reality for the families that depend on them, we need your help. Your contribution to these very worthwhile projects will be greatly appreciated by not only the Partners, but also by the many local people who will benefit.”
Behling said a Love Light gives an opportunity to tell someone that he or she is special, while still helping others in the community. A donation of $2 or more will add a light to one of the trees on the Fort Memorial Hospital grounds during the holiday season, either as a gift to honor someone (colored light) or as a memorial (white light) for a loved one who has passed away.
According to the release, special pledge cards are available upon request to notify a person or a family of the purchase. A donation of $25 or more will designate the donor as a Love Light Tree sponsor.
If mailing in a donation, order forms and instructions are available for downloading on the campaign’s website. Online donations may be made at FortHealthCare.com/Lovelights.
A $5 minimum is required for online donations, which automatically allows the donor to submit two names. For online purchases, honor cards can be emailed to families to show that a gift has been made in their honor.
To ensure donations are properly recognized in this year’s sponsor and donor listings, which are published in late December, Fort HealthCare Partners must receive the donation by Dec. 13.
“As we near the end of 2021, we can’t help but reflect on the many different challenges that our world continues to face. Even in the midst of challenging times, there have been countless stories of positivity that have emerged throughout 2021. And during this season of thanks and giving, we celebrate those happy stories, as they remind us of how good it feels to serve others each and every day,” Behling noted in the release.
Fort HealthCare Partners organization has sponsored a scholarship program every year since 1953. Annually, from the 1950s through the 1970s, two or three $500 scholarships were awarded to students going into the nursing field. Today, the partners give $10,000 in scholarship awards to students who are pursuing or advancing their career in most any healthcare field.
For more information the Love Lights program and making donations, visit: www.FortHealthCare.com/LoveLights.
Those interested in volunteering with the Fort HealthCare Partners may call 920-568-5276 or toll free at 1-800-421-4677 ext. 5276, or visit FortHealthCare.com/Volunteer.
File photo/public domain.
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