In a holiday tradition that has spanned more the three decades, the Christmas Wish Tree campaign is returning to Chatham-Kent.
The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation’s 32nd annual tree lighting event is now underway. This year’s Wish Tree campaign hopes to raise $100,000 to help purchase a new patient-ventilator for the Chatham site and five new vital signs monitors for CKHA’s Wallaceburg site.
“We know the Christmas Wish Tree holds a special place in the hearts of our community,” says Bob Hockney, the board chair for the CKHA Foundation. “And it’s becoming even more meaningful as members of our community, who have been so influential, are honoured and recognized in such a special way.”
The Christmas Wish Tree campaign provides members of the community the chance to honour a loved one by making a donation in their name. For each donation, a light will be added to the Wish Tree in recognition.
This year’s campaign will also use special purple lights to honour nine members of the community who were passionate supporters of the hospital or highly dedicated to making positive change in Chatham-Kent. Included in those honourees are Brenda Burgess, Helen Coyne, Pauline Holek, Carol Koke, Ed Koke, Audrey Kraemer, Gayle McClintock, Dr. John Roe, and Ron Tack.
This year’s tree lighting ceremonies will place at CKHA’s Wallaceburg site on December 15 at 6 p.m. and at CKHA’s Chatham site on December 16 at 6 p.m.