The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation is looking to shine bright this holiday season through its annual Christmas Wish Tree campaign.
The 32nd Annual Christmas Wish Tree campaign is underway and residents have the opportunity to honour their loved ones by making a donation in their name.
A light will be added to the Christmas Wish Tree for every donation.
"We are so excited to welcome our community back to celebrate our memorial tree lighting ceremonies in person," said President and CEO of CKHAF Mary Lou Crowley. "The essence of the Christmas Wish Tree is really about bringing our community together to celebrate the memory of family members and friends."
Last year, the foundation honoured four community members who dedicated themselves to making positive changes in Chatham-Kent.
Now, the foundation is honouring nine members of the community, including Brenda Burgess, Helen Coyne, Pauline Holek, Carol Koke, Ed Koke, Audrey Kraemer, Gayle McClintock, Dr. John Roe, and Ron Tack.
“We know the Christmas Wish Tree holds a special place in the hearts of our community," said CHKAF Board Chair Bob Hockney. “It's becoming even more meaningful as members of our community are honoured and recognized in such a special way”.
With pandemic restrictions loosened, the community will once again be welcomed to attend the ceremonies in person. The ceremonies are taking place at the Wallaceburg site on Wednesday, December 15 at 6 p.m. and at the Chatham site on Thursday, December 16 at 6 p.m.
Last year, the foundation doubled its goal of $100,000 by raising a total of $206,644. The money raised went towards a new urodynamics machine for the CKHA’s Chatham site and a new bladder scanner for the Wallaceburg site.
Fundraising efforts this year will be used to purchase a new patient-ventilator at the Chatham site and five new vital sign monitors for the Wallaceburg site.
The event will be broadcast on YourTV Cogeco channel, as well as on the foundation’s Facebook page.
