Beaver Dam Community Hospital Launches ‘Tree of Lights’

(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.