Tree lighting to honor loved ones

Rocky Mount Telegram

Lights of Love, an annual tradition aimed at honoring and remembering loved ones during the holiday season, will be held at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 3 on the front lawn of Nash UNC Health Care.

As Christmas trees are placed and decorated in the homes of Nash County residents, Nash UNC Health Care prepares a tree to be decorated with lights and ornaments that are sponsored by families who wish to honor and remember their loved ones, friends, coworkers and caregivers.

The ceremony will include the official tree lighting, reading aloud the names of those who are being honored or remembered, carols from a choir of children and grandchildren of Nash UNC employees and light refreshments.

“Lights of Love is a time-honored tradition that many residents look forward to each year,” said Kathleen Fleming, Nash UNC Health Care Foundation development officer. “This year we have decided to use a live tree to place outside the hospital for all to see, as well as the tree we normally place on the top of the hospital that can be seen for miles. Many residents have shared that it is heartwarming to see the lights on the trees as they drive by and are reminded of the people they love.”

The tree will remain displayed throughout the holiday season on the front lawn of the hospital.

Lights of Love serves as a way for the Nash UNC Health Care Foundation to not only help those who wish to honor their loved ones but also to raise money for different areas of the hospital, including the Danny Talbott Cancer Center, Nash Pediatric Emergency Department, Nash Women’s Center and numerous other projects.

To dedicate a light, ornament or have a loved one’s name read aloud at the ceremony, all donations must be made prior to Nov. 22. Donations can be made by contacting Kathleen Fleming at Kathleen.Fleming@unchealth.unc.edu or by visiting    NashUNCHealthCareFoundation.org/LightsofLove.