In its 12 years, the program has raised $75,000 for the hospital auxiliary’s scholarship fund, said Marsha Haffey, president of the auxiliary.
“It offers a time for people to gather together to remember the loved ones they’ve lost, but to be together in a ceremony that helps the healing,” said Judy Schiller, chairwoman of the memory tree program. “The program is remembering their loved ones so that they are not alone in their memories.”
The program was inspired by a similar one by Riverside Hospital in Columbus.
“One person wrote us a note one year saying, ‘Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to once again be part of this memorial program,’” Schiller said. “It’s very important to a lot of people.”
The honorary chair of this year’s Memory Tree program is Sylvia Moore, an administrative assistant who retired after 45 years.
Area hospitals also offer different kinds of trees to help with support needed during the holidays. Atrium Medical Center in Middletown has a giving tree in its lobby, similar to the Salvation Army “angel trees,” on which ornaments are placed in memory of a particular person who was lost around the holidays, said Sharon Howard, a spokeswoman for Atrium.
In Warren County, a “Blue Christmas” worship service will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16 at Mason United Methodist Church, 6315 S. Mason Montgomery Road.
This event focuses on the quiet peace and strength of the Nativity story, with refreshments following the service. For more information, call 513-398-4741 or visit www.masonumc.org.
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