Light Up a Life Tree Lighting ceremony moves indoors due to weather

[December 14, 2022]  On a wet and blustery night, guests gathered at Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Lincoln for the annual Light Up a Life Tree Lighting ceremony. Much to the relief of those in attendance, the event was moved from outside on the front drive and entrance to inside in the dry and considerably warmer visitor lobby.

Chairs were set up to face the large ceiling-to-floor windows in the lobby, where the white tree designated as the LUAL tree could be seen on the other side.

The hospital and the Lincoln Memorial Hospital Foundation hosted the brief but solemn and reverent ceremony. Hospital Administrator Dolan Dalpoas welcomed guests and read the Light a Candle poem while guests held a candle in remembrance of loved ones lost.

After a moment of prayer, the outdoor tree was lit as guests sang "O Christmas Tree." After the closing prayer, the evening concluded with an invitation for all to sing "Silent Night."

After the ceremony, guests were encouraged to take a grab-and-go soup supper home. Each bag handed out included a choice of soup and a Christmas cookie to enjoy later.

The annual Light Up a Life Tree Lighting Ceremony marks the conclusion of the annual fundraising effort hosted by the hospital foundation. The fundraiser includes an opportunity for donors to pay tribute to loved ones who have passed or to honor and thank those entrusted with caring for those loved ones during the departure journey.

The names of those honored and those who honored them will be published in a special online magazine by Lincoln Daily News. The publication will be released on Thursday, December 22nd, and will remain in the daily editions through most of January.

[Karen Hargis/Nila Smith]