HANCOCK – The Portage Health Auxiliary remembered loved ones and celebrated scholarships awarded to health care students at their annual Lights of Love celebration on Thursday. Garrett Neese / Daily Mining Gazette
Portage Health Auxiliary’s Joan Antila reads out the names of loved ones to be remembered during Thursday’s annual Lights of Love ceremony.
“We take a break during the hectic season to focus on what is really important and that is the love and memories of family and friends,” she said.
The program allows people to donate in honor of a deceased person to buy a light on the Christmas tree in the lobby of the UP Health System – Portage Hospital. This money was used to fund 15 US $ 1,000 scholarships last May. The program has helped more than 100 students over the past 15 years, said Barb Worrall of the Portage Health Auxiliary.
Interim CEO Ryan Heinonen was honored for the tree lighting this year. He thanked the aid and parishioners for their longstanding support for the program.
“Since it is Christmas time, it can be a difficult time to think about those we have lost in recent years,” he said. “This event gives us the opportunity to remember and also to honor those who are still here with us today.”
Garrett Neese / Daily Mining Gazette
Ryan Heinonen, interim CEO of UP Health System – Portage, lights the Christmas tree in the lobby during the Portage Health Auxiliary’s annual Lights of Love ceremony on Thursday.
Auxiliary member Joan Antila read out the names of the people commemorated this year.
The audience also heard a musical performance and sang “Silent Tonight” together.
The event was the first after a one-year hiatus. Since the hospital advised the aid workers not to provide refreshments on site, they gave treats in bags to take away.
One of the deceased near Worrall is her husband Gary, who died of a stroke four years ago.
“I have to tell you that I am not always happy,” she said. “But I try really hard to find joy. And I have so much to be happy about, and I can imagine that you will too. “
Garrett Neese / Daily Mining Gazette
Portage Health Auxiliary’s Joan Antila reads out the names of loved ones to be remembered during Thursday’s annual Lights of Love ceremony.
Garrett Neese / Daily Mining Gazette
Ryan Heinonen, interim CEO of UP Health System – Portage, lights the Christmas tree in the lobby during the Portage Health Auxiliary’s annual Lights of Love ceremony on Thursday.
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