The 21st Trees of Love and Thanksgiving fundraising initiative was held from mid-September through the end of December. This drive is traditionally sponsored by Friends of Cooley Dickinson and the Pastoral Care Department.
We also had the generous support of Thelo, Home and Wellness, a local business, as well as The Lathrop Home on South Street.
Over 300 individuals donated in memory of and/or in honor of loved ones. Lights will continue to shine brightly as a testimony to those treasured in the Healing Garden at Cooley Dickinson Hospital until the end of February.
The success of the 2019 campaign was made possible by contributions of the aboved mentioned donors. Behind the scenes committee members worked diligently to ensure the smooth operation of the process. The tree lighting ceremony on Nov. 22 was once again facilitated by the staff of numerous departments at CDH. Their continued effort on our behalf is greatly appreciated. The Gypsy Wranglers, new to the event, provided music during the reception in the Surgical Day Room.
The final and second-year pledge of $10,000 for the renovation of the Childbirth Center was honored. To this end, the Nursery Workroom has been designated and will be named as a gift from the Trees of Love and Thanksgiving. Twelve car beds, needed to transport underweight babies, were also donated.
On behalf of the Trees of Love and Thanksgiving committee members, I extend our deepest gratitude to the first-ever sponsors, Thelo and The Lathrop Home, to the generous individual donors and to all staff members whose commitment played a role in the success of the 2019 fund drive.
Gail P. Stahlberg
Florence
The writer is the chair of the Trees of Love and Thanksgiving.