Fort HealthCare has announced that it will be hosting its Partners Love Light Tree project, now in its 39th year.

According to a news release, the project invites members of the community to purchase lights which are then placed on “special trees surrounding Fort Memorial Hospital.”

This year, the release states: “Love Lights campaign funds raised will be used to help subsidize the cost of the CareLine service for those who cannot afford it. CareLine is a medical personal emergency response service that allows subscribers to get emergency help 24/7 at the press of a button. Funds will also be used to support several healthcare scholarships for students and professionals in the community.”  

“The CareLine Program is so important to our community. It allows individuals to remain in their homes and avoid losing their independence. It also provides peace of mind for their families and loved ones knowing that help can be accessed quickly.  For community members who have chronic health conditions and cannot afford this life-saving alert system, the funds raised will allow the Partners CareLine Program to provide free or reduced rates to qualifying clients,” Kari Behling, Fort HealthCare volunteer services manager, was quoted as saying in the release.

Additionally, she noted: “We also believe that providing scholarships to students and professionals seeking further education in healthcare is important because they are our future. We want to ensure that the people entering the healthcare field have resources available to pay for their education.” 

To ensure those making donations to the project are “properly recognized in this year’s sponsor and donor listings,” the release stated, donations must be received by Friday, Dec. 8.

A Love Lights tree-lighting ceremony is planned for Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 6:30 p.m. on the Sherman Avenue lawn in front of the hospital, the release noted.

A reception will follow the tree-lighting event.

According to the release, corporate sponsorships are available at three levels: Silver, $200 to $299; Gold, $300 to $399, and Platinum, $400 and above.

Those wishing to make a donation are encouraged to make checks out to Love Light Tree, and send them via mail: Fort Memorial Hospital Partners, 611 Sherman Ave. East, Fort Atkinson, WI, 53538-1998.

Donations also can be made online through the following link: https://www.forthealthcare.com/ways-to-give/love-lights/.

There is a $5 minimum donation required for donations made online, the release stated.

As noted in the release, the Love Lights Tree project began in 1985 as “a heart-felt way to honor loved ones who are amongst us — colored lights — or to memorialize those who have passed away — white lights. Every year, all monies raised through the Love Light Tree project help to fund special services and projects.”

About Fort HealthCare and our Partners

According to the release, Fort HealthCare is committed to improving the health and well-being of the communities it serves, with “a vision to be the healthiest community in Wisconsin.” A goal is to reach as many members of the community as possible with health and wellness messages, providing tools and resources to help individuals improve their health and quality of life while collaborating with several partners to positively improve the population’s health overall on a long-term basis. To learn more visit the organization’s website: FortHealthCare.com.

Additionally, the release noted, Fort Memorial Hospital volunteers, as a member of the Fort HealthCare Partners organization, “are an invaluable resource to the community and a vital part of any healthcare organization.”  To learn more about becoming a volunteer, those interested are encouraged to call 920-568-5276 or toll-free at 1-800-421-4677 ext. 5276 or visit the following link: FortHealthcare.com/volunteer. 

A story about last year’s tree-lighting ceremony, as published on WhitewaterWise’s sister site, Fort Atkinson Online, is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/fort-memorial-hospital-shines-with-love-lights/.