Amy Drake

The Cullman Regional Foundation’s 28th Annual Dr. Herman C. Ensor Lights of Love Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is set for Dec. 5 at 5:30 p.m. in the hospital’s Colonel Cullmann Room.

Giving a gift of love for $20, $40, $60 or more places a light on the Christmas tree as a tribute to someone special. The tax-deductible gifts will help support the Foundation’s mission of advancing healthcare services at Cullman Regional.

The proceeds from this year’s Lights of Love will go toward the purchase of a new ambulance for Cullman Emergency Medical Services, said Cullman Regional Foundation Executive Director Maria Stanford.

She said everyone in the community is invited to give a gift of a light in memory or in honor of someone special in their lives, and special acknowledgement cards are sent to those who have been honored and to the families of those being remembered.

All community members and contributors are invited to the tree lighting ceremony to view a presentation of the names of those being honored. After the presentation, those in attendance can outside and sing “Silent Night” before the Christmas tree on the roof of the hospital is lit.

“It’s a very special time for families to be together during the holiday season,” she said.

During the ceremony, special Christmas music will be performed by the First United Methodist Sanctuary Choir and Kids Choir. Also performing during the event will be Dr. Joe Johnson, Dr. David Shupe, Kate Shupe and Ken Simpson.

This year’s program will also honor and pay tribute to Amy Drake, a longtime supporter of the Foundation who passed away earlier this year.

Donations can be made throughout the holiday season, but must be received before Dec. 2 to be included in the ceremony.

Donations can be made online cullmanregional.com/foundation/events or people may call the Foundation at 256-737-2565 for more information.

Stanford said the event usually sees around 250 people in attendance every year, and she and the rest of the Foundation’s members are grateful for all of the support that people have shown throughout the years.

“We’re just thankful for the community’s support in continuing this special program in our community,” she said.