The Harnett Health Auxiliary hosted its 21st Lights of Love Tree Lighting at Betsy Johnson Hospital last week. The Lights of Love ceremony honors those who have passed and those living. Supporters give donations in a person’s honor and a tag with the name of that person is placed on the tree in the hospital lobby.
Years ago Betsy Johnson did not have a formal tree lighting event and one of the volunteers, Elma West, decided to be inventive and create something special for the staff, patients, and families for the holiday season. She took ideas from other hospital tree lightings and came up with Lights of Love.
“We honor and remember those who are so dear this holiday season,” said Joyce Adams, auxiliary president, in her welcome to the crowd who had gathered under the hospital awning. “We pause to reflect on this wonderful time of the year,” the Rev. Roy Johnson said. “We are so grateful, dear God, and ask a special blessing to this auxiliary,” he prayed. “We are so grateful you gave us Jesus.” Kevin Jackson, president of Harnett Health, read the names of those honored.
The highlight of the evening was the performance of the Harnett Primary Children’s Choir directed by Susan Busch. They sang “I Feel The Rhythm of the Season,” which ended in “one, two, three, four, celebrate” with a dab (motion made famous by Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton.) Emma LaMirand performed solo on “Happy Birthday Jesus” and was later accompanied by the choir. Lastly, the group sang “Celebrate With Joy,” punctuating each celebrate with upraised hands.
When it was announced Santa was waiting inside, the children clapped and cheered. The evening ended with visits with Santa and refreshments.
In Memory Durwood Adams, Cleta D. Barefoot, Paul Bass, Debra G. Blue, James R. Blue, Shannon Brown, Lellon Mae Butler, April Carrano, Lillington Carrano, Thomas Carrano, Ellison M. Cash Jr., Henry and Mary Coleman, Tommy Cooper, J.C. Dale, Mark and Annie B. Daughtry Don Davis, Jule Dawson, Becky Barefoot Denning, Roxie Dean, Dickson, Stacey Duncan, Patricia Ellis, Mr. and Mrs. Stiles H. Ellyson, Doris Ennis, Robert Hedgepeth, Cindy Herring, J. “Richard” Hilderbrand, J. “Ritchie” Hilderbrand Jr., Lovely Lady Horton, Ozell Horton, Jessie House, Wallace W. House, Florence Howard, Anna Jackson, Susan Jackson, James and Bleaker Jernigan, Annie B. Johnson, Delorus Johnson, Kenneth M. Johnson, Gale Johnson, Joe Gerald Jones, Elsie Mae Kirby, Jack Kirby, Carl Lee, Sr., Kelly Loughlin, Connie Matthews, Patsy Matthews, Louise C. “Mac” McKinnie, Frances Elizabeth McLamb, Garrett McLamb, Ralph Edward McLamb, Eva Mae McLean, Edward McMahan, Helen McMahan, Charles Moody, Jerry Moody, Betty Moore, Annie Mae Nebo, Bruce Peacock, Margaret Pierce, Dwight Pope, Ed Powers, Tony Register, Trello Sills, Diane R. Smith, Joseph W. Smith, Sylvester Smith, Mary L. Stanfield, Richard Stinemetz, Gordon Stephenson, Nala Stephenson, Sheila Smith Strickland, Willard Strickland, Ralph Tanner, DeVante S. Tart, Elsie Tart, Wilmon Duvall Tart, Martha Taylor, Inez Terbush, Renee Thomas, Daisy Thompson, Harry and Emma Thompson, Tony Turnage, Nancy Tyndall, Myra Walker, Elma West, Jean West, Juanita West, Carl and Verta Whittington, Phyllis Williams, Effie Wright, Dick T. Zoldack and Jack L. Zoldack.
In Honor Amanda Faircloth, Chloe Mae Faircloth, Ruby Dean Faircloth, Pastor Beth Gaines, Harnett Health staff and volunteers, Patricia Hilderbrand, Stacie Allison McLamb, Monday gift shop workers, J.C. Moore, Rocky Moore, Matthew Mountcastle, students and staff of Harnett Primary and Geraldine Warren.
Ms. Adams said the hospital auxiliary could use more volunteers. “We could use volunteers in the gift shop, toy makers and everywhere else,” she said. To volunteer, go to the gift shop in the lobby of Betsy Johnson and ask for an application.