(Beaver Dam) Folks packed the Beaver Dam Community Hospital’s Café last Monday night for the 29th annual Tree of Lights program. It started to feel a lot more like Christmas in Beaver Dam last night. The annual Tree of Lights celebration launched a campaign where people can buy a Christmas tree light for $7 apiece in honor or in memory of a loved one.
The trees are located outside BDCH, Hillside Manor, and Stone Terrace. Proceeds benefit the hospital’s Hospice and Lifeline programs. Hospice helps patients and families dealing with a terminal illness while Lifeline offers security to people living at home by providing emergency assistance with the push of a button. Three hospice families were honored at this year’s celebration.
Diana Seifert spoke on behalf of her late brother-in-law Cornelius VanderVelden and thanked hospice for supporting him.
Colleen Whitrock recognized her late mother Edwina Campnell and the care provided by an in-home hospice worker. Whitrock’s sister Carrie Hogan spoke about their late father Garner Campnell. She says hospice was always there when they needed them.
June-Rose was last to speak, she honored her late husband Oscar Beale. She says in retrospect she would have chosen hospice as a career choice.
Anyone interested in purchasing a light should contact the hospital by the end of the month. In its first 28 years, the Tree of Lights effort has collected well over $400,000.