By Teresa McKinney

There was definitely a chill in the air at the 45th lighting of the NHRMC Auxiliary Tree of Hope held at the Wellness Park on the corner of Confederate Avenue and Henderson Street.

About 50 people attending the Tree of Hope Lighting Ceremony sipped on hot chocolate and cookies while the trees were lit with purple and white lights.

Auxiliary vice president Jane Creech welcomed the group and remarked that if you were in attendance it was because you or someone you love one was being honored or remembered, or you were part of the Medical Center family. She thanked those for attending and contributing to such a worthwhile cause.

Dari Caldwell, NHRMC president, also thanked the auxiliary and volunteers for their contributions to the medical center. She said the the purple or aubergine lights represented those being remembered while the white lights represented those honored.

Carols were led by Chip and Kathy Carter and members of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

All donations to this year’s Tree of Hope will be directed to the Wallace Cancer Center scheduled to open in 2020.

All members of the community are welcome to participate in the TOH project by donating a light to the trees. For a $10 donation a loved one can be honored or memorialized. A light can be contributed to the Tree through the end of the year and the trees will stay lit through New Year’s Eve.

More information can be obtained by calling the Medical Center gift shop at 704-210-5205.