Fort HealthCare Partners Invite You to Honor Loved Ones with Love Lights 2021

For over 36 holiday seasons, the response from individuals, organizations, clubs and businesses have made the Fort HealthCare Partners Love Lights Tree project a successful annual event, exemplifying the spirit of giving.

The Love Lights Tree project was started in 1985. It is heart-felt way to acknowledge loved ones who are still living or those that have passed away. By charging a small fee of $2.00 per light, the Love Light Tree has been raising money to purchase new equipment, education, and services for Fort Memorial Hospital in Fort Atkinson.

A Love Light is a perfect gift, giving you the opportunity to tell someone that they are special while still helping others in your community as well. A donation of $2.00 or more will add a light to one of the trees on the Fort Memorial Hospital grounds during the holiday season, either as a gift to honor someone (colored light), or as a memorial (white light) for a loved one that has passed away. Special pledge cards are available upon request so you may notify a person (or a family) that you have purchased a light in their honor. A donation of $25.00 or more will designate you as a Love Light Tree sponsor.

If mailing in a donation, order forms and instructions are available for download on the campaign’s website. Online donations are also encouraged, and those can also be made at FortHealthCare.com/Lovelights. A $5.00 minimum is required for online donations, which is automatically for two names. For online purchases, Honor Cards can be emailed to families to show you’ve made a gift in their honor. To ensure you are properly recognized in this year’s sponsor and donor listings that are published in late December, Fort HealthCare Partners must receive your donation by December 13th.

Kari Behling, Fort HealthCare Volunteer Services Manager states, “As we near the end of 2021, we can’t help but reflect on the many different challenges that our world continues to face. Even in the midst of challenging times, there have been countless stories of positivity that have emerged throughout 2021. And during the approaching season of thanks and giving, we celebrate those happy stories, as they remind us of how good it feels to serve others each and every day.”

Funds raised during the 2021 Love Lights campaign will be used to help subsidize the cost of the CareLine service for those who cannot afford it. CareLine is a medical personal emergency response system allowing subscribers to get emergency help 24/7 at the press of a button. The system gives peace of mind to both the subscriber and their family. Additionally, funds will be used to support several healthcare scholarships for students and healthcare professionals in the area.

Behling notes, “We would like to raise funds for our CareLine Program, because there are people in our community who have chronic health conditions who cannot afford this life saving equipment and service. This money will allow the Partners CareLine Program to provide FREE or reduced rates for qualifying clients to receive the service. CareLine allows individuals to remain in their homes and avoid losing their independence.”

Behling adds, “Continuing to provide these two very important services to members of our local community is critical for maintaining our commitment to bettering the lives of our friends, neighbors and family. To keep these commitments a reality for the families that depend on them, we need your help. Your contribution to these very worthwhile projects will be greatly appreciated by not only the Partners, but also by the many local people who will benefit.”

Love Lights Tree Lighting Ceremony:

The Love Lights tree lighting ceremony will take place on Tuesday, December 7th at 6:30 p.m. on the Sherman Avenue lawn in front of Fort Memorial Hospital in Fort Atkinson. Attendees will be allowed to come in person but we do ask that you wear a mask. Additionally you can watch it via Facebook LIVE from any location!

Reflecting on 36 Years of Generosity and Caring

The Partners have sponsored a Scholarship program every year since 1953. Each year in the 1950s through the 1970s, two or three $500 scholarships were awarded to students going into the nursing field. Today, Partners gives $10,000 in scholarship awards to students who are pursuing or advancing their career in most any health care field.

With the ever-growing concern for older people living alone, the Partners started another service to help. In 1984, the CareLine Medical Alarm Service was started (formerly called LifeLine). At the one-year anniversary of this program, they had 23 subscribers using the service. Over the years, the equipment has gotten smaller, and now provides advanced technology such as GPS and fall detection. The program has also gotten bigger, now serving approximately 250 people that have the CareLine system.

As members of the Fort HealthCare Partners organization, Fort Memorial Hospital volunteers are an invaluable resource to the community and a vital part of any healthcare organization. Several important roles fulfilled by volunteers add a tremendous amount of value to Fort HealthCare’s services and directly influence positive patient and guest experiences. Call 920-568-5276 or toll free at 1-800-421-4677 ext. 5276, or visit FortHealthCare.com/Volunteer to learn more. More information and donations for Love Lights can be viewed at www.FortHealthCare.com/LoveLights.