In communities across the globe, tree lighting ceremonies mark the official start of the holiday season, uniting friends and neighbors together in the spirit of the season.
The same happens at Shore Medical Center each year with its Auxiliary’s Tree of Lights ceremony, but with an extra special touch, according to a news release.
Each year in advance of the ceremony, the Auxiliary invites community members to make a donation in honor or memory of a loved one in support of the medical center. The names of those individuals are inscribed in the Tree of Lights Book, with each light on the illuminated tree representing those who have been honored.
The listing of inscribed names is posted on the Auxiliary page of Shore Medical Center’s website. This year’s event, held Dec. 1 in Shore’s lobby, raised more than $4,000 for the hospital.
At the ceremony, Shaun LaBoy, Shore receiving clerk, entertained on the piano and Michael Green, Shore orderly, opened the ceremony by singing “Grown-up Christmas List.”
In her presentation, Brenda Martello, chairperson of the Shore Auxiliary, spoke on what the tree lighting is all about and how each year the Auxiliary pays special honor to a group or individual.
This year, the Auxiliary honored the environmental services team at Shore for their hard work and dedication to keeping the hospital clean and safe, especially throughout the pandemic. After her presentation, she welcomed members of Shore’s environmental services team to help light the tree.
For more information about the Auxiliary of Shore Medical Center, please call 609-653-4646.
