Houston Healthcare celebrates 13th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

Houston Healthcare hosted its 13th annual Tree of Lights Ceremony on Monday in the Northwest Tower Lobby at Houston Medical Center. Assisting with the lighting of this year’s tree was special guest Suzanne Lawler, 13WMAZ news broadcaster.

“Christmas is a very special time for me and my family as we still continue on our traditions,” Lawler said. “I am blessed to still have my parents here today to celebrate. So ever since I was little my family and I on Christmas Eve would go to church and afterwards go grab a pizza. We then would go look at Christmas lights and end the night by getting to open one present. Those memories are really special to me and I am blessed to continue to make those memories. I would say to you all cherish your traditions and families. They are what is really important.”

The Sacred Heart School Choir also performed several Christmas classics during the ceremony.

“We have a wonderful team of health care professionals that, day in and day out, serve our community at a very high level. But there is a critical piece that we need on our team to complete that care. Whether it’s a comforting smile or a warm touch, that comes from our Auxiliaries—our volunteers—and that really completes the care that we deliver here [at Houston Healthcare],” said Charles Briscoe, chief executive officer for Houston Healthcare.

Each year, hospital employees and community members can purchase or sponsor a “light” on the tree in honor or memory of someone special. All donations received from the light purchases benefit the Auxiliaries of Houston Medical Center and Perry Hospital.

According to Melissa Phagan, director of Volunteer Services for Houston Healthcare, proceeds from the light sales typically raise $500 or more each year for the Auxiliaries. “Each year, our Auxiliaries are able to donate money back to both hospitals and to support community events because of fundraisers and events such as this,” she said.

In the past, the Auxiliaries have used the monies they’ve raised to support the hospitals by purchasing medical equipment such as wheelchairs for patient transport and new furniture for family waiting areas.