A total of $3,670 in donations helped provide 232 sparkling lights and ornaments on a tree this month at Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center during a fundraiser by the hospital’s volunteer group, the Auxiliary. The annual fundraiser, Light of Love, offered the community a way to remember loved ones during the holiday season. A ceremony held earlier this month invited the community to view the lighting of the tree and a solo performed by Kelly Parsons, a local attorney and member of the hospital’s Foundation.

For a donation, a light was placed on the Light of Love tree on display inside the hospital’s lobby. The community also had the opportunity to make a larger contribution for the light to be displayed annually. In addition to the hundreds of lights, the tree features angel and crystal ornaments. The names of those honored were placed in a memory book near the tree for patients, guests and staff to enjoy.

“During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, the Light of Love fundraiser offers the community a chance to slow down and reflect on loved ones and to honor those who have passed and those that are still here,” said Donna Kearns, Volunteer Services Manager at Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center.

The donations will be used to support Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center. This year alone, the Auxiliary group, which consists of close to 300 members, has donated over 61,000 hours of service to the hospital and has raised $70,000 towards the hospital’s Get Well Network, an interactive education and entertainment tool available in each patient room via a flat screen television.

Since the Auxiliary’s existence, volunteers have donated over 2 million hours of service and close to $4 million to the hospital.