DIDSBURY - The Tree of Hope in front of the Didsbury Health Services (hospital) building is lit up once again for the season. Unfortunately, there was no ceremony this year like in past years due to a number of issues.
Brad Blatz, chair of the Rosebud Health Foundation, said they had some logistical issues with the tree.
"We had some mechanical issues," said Blatz. "We got a little under the gun to have a formal light-up but the campaign is going on as usual. We were grateful to Through the Grapevine Tree Care. They brought their picker and volunteered their time to help us. We got the tree lit but didn't have a formal ceremony. We got it lit the afternoon of the Country Christmas."
The Tree of Hope campaign helps raise money for the Rosebud Health Foundation. Blatz said the group has been around for more than 20 years raising money for equipment and other items for the hospital.
"We still do our regular fundraising campaigns and liase with the hospital for purchasing of equipment or funding certain programs," said Blatz. "One of the campaigns that has been in place for years now is the Tree of Hope."
Blatz said the Tree of Hope campaign specifically raises funds for palliative and long-term care at the hospital.
"We accept donations for the campaign year-round but, of course, the big push is around Christmas," he said. "The idea of it is that we have a tree set up that has a set of blue bulbs and a set of red bulbs. The blue bulbs are meant to be lit in memory of a loved one who has passed away, while the red bulbs are a sign of greetings and hope for family and friends who may be getting palliative or long-term care at the hospital. The blue bulbs are more of a memorial bulb where red bulbs are greetings."
Blatz said that any donation received would equal one of the bulbs.
"We continue to accept donations," he said. "There's a leaflet in the town's utility bills this month. Someone can use that form or pick one up at the hospital. They can specify who the donation is in memory of. Usually we have an acknowledgement of that to some degree."
