Staff report

SALISBURY — This past Thursday, for the 46th year, the Novant Health Rowan Medical Center Auxiliary held its Tree of Hope lighting ceremony, which raises money for worthy causes during the Christmas season.

This year, the proceeds again will go to the Wallace Cancer Center under construction at Mocksville and Mahaley avenues.

Thursday’s lighting of the Tree of Hope took place in the courtyard outside the main hospital entrance. The white lights on one tree came on for the ceremony, which dedicates the lights on multiple Trees of Hope.

Other trees with purple and white lights stand in the medical center’s Wellness Park at the corner of Confederate Avenue and Henderson Street.

“Let these lights resonate with you the hope and love they represent,” said Jane Creech, president of the hospital auxiliary.

Donations of $10 go toward memorializing or honoring loved ones with lights on the Trees of Hope. A light can be added to the trees through the end of the year, and the trees stay lit through New Year’s Eve.

Donation forms are available at the hospital gift shop, which is staffed daily by auxiliary volunteers. The gift shop number is 704-210-5205.

The Tree of Hope project typically raises $8,000 to $10,000.

Children choristers from First United Methodist Church sang carols of the season Thursday. They were under the direction and accompaniment of Matthew Michael Brown, Martha Smith and Beth Yelvington.

Creech and Gary Blabon, interim president at the medical center, made a few remarks at Thursday’s lighting ceremony. Cookies and hot cocoa were served.

Auxiliary members Carole Simmons and Nancy Linn served as co-chairwomen.