By Chris Spangler
Retiring President/CEO Mike Wallace had the honor of flipping the switch as Fort Memorial Hospital held its Love Lights tree-lighting ceremony Tuesday evening.
Sponsored by Fort HealthCare Partners, the event featured a seasonal message by the Rev. Dr. Sara Rabe of First Congregational United Church of Christ.
Wallace, who is retiring at the end of the month, welcomed guests and led the Pledge of Allegiance. He has been with Fort HealthCare since 2006 and will continue in an advisory role for the next year.
Fort HealthCare Partners Co-Presidents Kathy Kakuschke and Jane Winiarski led the tree dedication and lighting countdown.
Youngsters from Kids Connection sang Christmas tunes, accompanied by Jason Lynk on guitar.
Cookies and hot chocolate were served afterward.
The lights are being displayed on the hospital’s Sherman Avenue lawn throughout the holiday season.
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 persons, as well as to support 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.
Photos from the event follow.
Attendees recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of the Love Lights ceremony.
Youngsters from Kids Connection perform “Jingle Bells” during the ceremony.
The Rev. Dr. Sara Rabe of First Congregational United Church of Christ offers a seasonal message during Fort Memorial Hospital’s Love Lights tree-lighting ceremony.
Fort HealthCare President/CEO Mike Wallace flips the switch to illuminate the Love Lights. He is retiring at the end of the month after serving the hospital since 2006.
Kathy Kakuschke, at left, and Jane Winiarski, co-presidents of Fort HealthCare Partners, lead the countdown for the tree lighting.
Two photos above: Attendees sing “O Christmas Tree” during the tree-lighting ceremony.
Two photos above: Attendees help themselves to hot chocolate and cookies after the ceremony.
Three photos above: Guests wander among the twinkling trees after the ceremony.
Chris Spangler photos.
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How come the Love Lights have not been in the paper yet??? And I don’t see them on here either- as for the people who donated for the Memory or Honor Of. Why isn’t this on here or in the paper?????
Hi Bonnie, the organization has chosen to publish names in this way: https://fort.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Final-Booklet-2022.pdf.