Residents can now honor the memory of a loved one and bring some warmth to local patients through a donation.
The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation’s 33rd annual Christmas Wish Tree campaign is now underway. For each donation, a light will be added to the memorial trees at the Health Alliance’s Chatham and Wallaceburg sites.
The names of all the honorees will also be published in a weekly ad run in the Chatham Daily News and Chatham-Kent This Week.
Tree-lighting ceremonies will be held Dec. 14 at 6 pm at the hospital’s Wallaceburg site and Dec. 15 at 6 pm at the Chatham site. Attendees will celebrate the lives of those being remembered.
“Our annual Christmas Wish Tree campaign is such a meaningful way to celebrate the holiday season as we keep our loved ones close in our hearts,” Mary Lou Crowley, foundation president and CEO, said in a news release.
“We are so excited to join with our community once again as we carry on this annual Chatham-Kent holiday tradition that has touched the lives of so many in our community for over three decades.”
All proceeds from this year’s campaign will support the purchase of new warming cabinets for the two hospital sites. The cabinets are used to warm linens and blankets to increase patient comfort, prevent hypothermia and to decrease anxiety in the hospital environment, the release said.
“As we approach the cold weather and winter months ahead, small comforts like a warm blanket can make all the difference in a patient’s experience,” Bob Hockney, foundation board chair, said in the release.
“Warmed blankets are used every day on each unit at the Health Alliance, and these warming cabinets play a major role in helping patients remain comfortable during their stay in hospital.”
The campaign also honors local health care advocates who have died in the past year through purple bulbs on the tree. This year, the foundation’s Legacy of Giving honorees are Dr. Angelita Allen, Steve Bilodeau, Rex Crawford, John Meko Sr., Richard (Dick) Pollock and Ruth Tetrault.
Karen Ewald, vice president and portfolio manager of RBC Wealth Management Dominion Securities, is the presenting sponsor for this year’s campaign. Other event partners include MC Business Solutions, Western Equipment Ltd., WINMAR International Ltd. and Five Star Tool and Die Ltd.
According to the release, the Christmas Wish Tree campaign has raised over $3 million towards medical equipment for local hospital sites.
To donate in memory of a loved one visit www.ckhaf.ca, call 519-436-2538 or donate in person in the foundation office located at 9 Ursuline Ave. in Chatham.