GREENEVILLE – The glow from the roof of Takoma Regional Hospital during December represents far more than just the lights of the holiday season. Each light in the Memorial Tree pyramid atop the hospital roof stands for a person who has made a difference in someone’s life.

The Takoma Regional Hospital Volunteers are sponsoring the 23rd annual Love Lights campaign, proceeds of which will be used for renovations and upgrades to the hospital’s emergency department. Lights in the “tree” are available at $5 each through the volunteer department Nov. 3 through Dec. 19. Names of honorees will appear in The Greeneville Sun on Dec. 24.

The public is invited to attend a special Memorial Tree lighting ceremony at Takoma Regional Hospital on Monday, Dec. 1, at noon – but reservations are required. The event, which includes a special program of Christmas music, will be held in the Everette and Carolyn Coolidge Volunteer Conference Center. Please call Lindy Riley, executive director of Takoma Regional Foundation and director of Takoma Regional Volunteers, at (423) 798-8136 for reservations.

“For 22 years, people have bought Love Lights to remember loved ones or to honor people whom they admire and respect in the community, and we’re simply continuing tradition,” Riley said. “This is not really as much a money maker as it is just a meaningful tradition. People look forward to this. It’s a wonderful way to pay tribute to a parent, child, grandparent, teacher or other special person in one’s life.”

Those who wish to make a tax-deductible contribution of $5 per light to honor or memorialize friends and relatives can mail a check to Takoma Hospital Volunteers, Takoma Regional Hospital, 401 Takoma Ave., Greeneville, TN 37743 – or stop by the Forget-Me-Not Gift Shoppe in the hospital. Checks should be made payable to the Volunteers of Takoma Regional Hospital, and names of honorees must be provided. Direct tax-deductible donations are also accepted.

For more information, please call the hospital’s volunteer department at (423) 798-8136.