The Foundation of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance is getting ready for their annual tree lighting ceremony, but there's a slight change this year.
For the first time, the foundation will hold ceremonies at both the Chatham and Wallaceburg sites but on different dates. The first will be on December 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the Chatham hospital, the second will be on December 13 at 6 p.m. at the Wallaceburg site. In the past, ceremonies would take place at the same time, which would split resources and limit the number of executive staff at each event -- something they wanted to change for this year.
The lighting ceremonies will include speeches, refreshments, Christmas carols, and of course looking at decorated Christmas trees. In addition, the Wallaceburg event will feature a horse and wagon tour.
In the meantime, officials with the foundation are asking for support in their 29th annual "Christmas Wish Tree appeal".
"The Christmas Wish Tree appeal and tree lighting ceremony have become time-honoured traditions in Chatham-Kent," the Foundation of the CKHA said in a press release. "Members of the community publicly honour family members and friends by making a donation to illuminate one of three different coloured tree lights in support of their local hospital."
This year's theme is cardiac health, so money raised through the campaign will go towards a transport defibrillator and Holter monitors.
“In 2017, Chatham-Kent had the highest per capita death rate from heart attacks in all of Ontario, which to me is a staggering statistic,” said Mary Lou Crowley, executive director with the Foundation of CKHA.
Donations to the Foundation of CKHA can be made online through their website.