Lakes Regional Healthcare Auxiliary hosts holiday fundraiser

The Lakes Regional Healthcare Auxiliary and the Voluntary Action Center are doing their part to share love this holiday season. It’s a time for joy, love and memories.

For more than three decades, the fundraiser has spread love and the spirit of the season with the Tree of Love.

The Tree of Love is both an actual physical tree on the property at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake as well as a fundraiser.

The Tree of Love was started more than three decades ago in 1989 by Sally Parks, according to auxiliary member Leah Streeter, in honor of her late husband, Leo Parks. Sally purchased and planted a tree outside of the hospital. Since that time, Sally has also passed away, and the Tree of Love’s purpose has expanded.

The auxiliary sells a light to go on the Tree of Love and then those who buy a light will receive a handcrafted, hand-painted wooden ornament.

The lights that will be placed on the Tree of Love are placed on the tree with the same mindset that Sally Parks planted the original tree more than 30 years ago.

“Many people buy a light in memory of a loved one who might have passed, or might be in honor of a birthday or anniversary or even as a simple greeting to a friend or loved one,” said Willie Moeller, a member of the Lakes Regional Healthcare Auxiliary.

The lights are on sale now for $5 and will continue to be found at the East desk at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake.

At least one light will be lit this year for Ruth Betcher, who passed this year and who was instrumental in spearheading this fundraiser, according to Moeller.

The heart-shaped ornaments are painted by hand by Arlene Krogman and Martha Phipps. Every year, the group make around 200 ornaments.

The design painted for this year’s heart-shaped ornament features the big man himself — Santa.

With the exception of last year, an event is hosted every year to light up the Tree of Love. This year’s event will be held at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 28.

“We will have a pastor give a message and then we will sing a few Christmas carols. We also serve cookies and coffee,” Moeller said. “This is quite an evening of remembrance. It’s a special time.”

With the fundraiser the auxiliary gives scholarships to medical students in the community.

“We weren’t able to host our event last year and it’s pretty exciting to be bringing it back this year,” Moeller said.