Lights of Love Shine at Hunterdon Medical Center

Published December 11, 2009

On December 2nd, during a poignant ceremony, the majestic evergreen tree near the main entrance to Hunterdon Medical Center was once again illuminated by the beauty of hundreds of “Lights of Love.”  For the past 21 years, the “Lights of Love” program has been sponsored by the Hunterdon Medical Center Auxiliary.  It was started as a way to honor or memorialize our loved ones, while giving people a meaningful way to support their local hospital.  This year the program raised over $30,000 for Hunterdon Medical Center programs and services. 
During the ceremony, Meredith Betz, Executive Vice President for the Hunterdon Medical Center Foundation said, “The evergreen tree that stands on the front lawn of the Hunterdon Medical Center displaying our lights of love so brilliantly was chosen because, just as the “Lights of Love” Tree will stay “evergreen,” our feelings and love for the special people we remember tonight will always be there.  Our love for them and the special place they hold in our hearts will be “evergreen.”

Attendees were entertained by the Flemington Presbyterian Church Bell Choir, the Hunterdon Harmonizers, the Golden Eagles Singers from Round Valley School in Lebanon, Saturday Strings Chamber Ensemble and Nicole Rowe, soloist from North Hunterdon Regional High School in Clinton Township.

This year, a special tree was planted near front door to Hunterdon Medical Center to pay tribute to long time Lights of Love volunteer, Mary Margaret Voorhees Rogers. Rogers was a dedicated volunteer for over 40 years and passed away this year at the age of 96.  If you asked Margaret why she would still come to the hospital at 7 a.m. on a weekday she’d tell you, ‘It’s because I love this hospital.  I don’t know what I would do without it.  I come here to do my part to make sure that Hunterdon Medical Center has the funding necessary to take the very best care of people in our community’,” explained Meredith Betz, executive vice president of the Hunterdon Medical Center Foundation.

The “Lights of Love” program runs all year long.  You can do this by making a $10 tax-deductible donation to the Hunterdon Medical Center Foundation requesting that a “light of love” be placed on the “Lights of Love” Tree that stands on the front lawn of the Hunterdon Medical Center.  In addition, you can make a larger donation in which shining ornaments will be placed on the tree.  These levels include:  Circle of Love - $500, Candlelight - $250 and Starlight - $100.

For additional information and to make a donation, call the Hunterdon Medical Center Foundation at 908-788-6141.