LAURINBURG — Local shoppers will see a familiar sign of Christmas spirit in Carlie C’s IGA grocery store. Scotland Regional Hospice started its 33rd annual Tree of Remembrance fundraiser on Monday.
Scotland Regional Hospice Public Relations Director Deon Cranford stated that the fundraiser is an event that is highly supported by the community.
“When we thought about stopping it one year, the community urged for it to continue,” said Cranford. “It has become a holiday tradition. Some people come to the store just for the tree, to donate and take pictures.”
Beachum and Lynn McDougald donated the 12-foot tree that stands inside the grocery store, something they have done each year since 1986.
Cranford said C.W. and Dorothy Love Foundation presented $5,000 to the organization on the first day (this week) —an amount the hospice makes throughout the month for the upcoming year.
“We average around $5,000 each year from the tree donations alone, so we are very thankful,” said Cranford.
The hospice team and volunteers put the evergreen tree up at 10 a.m. and, from then until Dec. 20, it will remain and be decorated with special donations.
”Catherine McLaurin oversees the volunteer schedules and the volunteers are there to help,” said Cranford.
He said the volunteers will be at the tree Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.
People can purchase a paper angel in honor or memory of a loved one for $5 and it will be hung on the tree.
“We will have hundreds by the time it is over, the tree will be covered with them,” added Cranford.
Over those 33 years, the tree has raised more than $100,000 to support end-of-life care for patients. Cranford says the support from the community goes right back into community care.
“As a non-profit organization, a lot of our services are not covered by Medicare and insurance,” said Cranford. “Services like bereavement service are often outside of Medicare coverage and the Morrison Manor In-patient facility is heavily supported by our fundraising.”
The angels can be purchased at Carlie C’s in Laurinburg, the Scotland Regional Hospice office, and online using a credit card at www.scotlandregionalhospice.dudaone.com/tree-of-remembrance-main.
All proceeds from the tree support Scotland Regional Hospice’s mission to provide end-of-life care for patients.
Jael Pembrick can be reached at 910-506-3169 or jpembrick@laurinburgexch.wpenginepowered.com.
