Passing the Torch (Lights of Life Tree)

Mickey and Barbara McKenzie, 2011-2012 Lights of Life Campaign & Gala Chairs will officially pass the chairmanship torch (Lights of Life tree) off to 2012-2013 Chairs Arvis and Sheila Tanton.  Mixed emotions came from both Mickey and Barbara and Arvis and Sheila.  “While chairing the campaign sounds like a lot of fun, we know there is a lot of work behind the scenes that take place.  Besides the commitment, the past chairs have left really big shoes to fill” said both Arvis and Sheila.  “We are confident Arvis and Sheila will do an outstanding job and will most likely raise the bar again for the event.  Barbara and I wish them lots of luck” said Mickey  “Of course we’ll be around to help them however we can, but it sure will be nice to be guests again” says Mickey with Barbara definitely agreeing.

“We know we have big shoes to fill following Mickey and Barbara and the other past chairs, but with the help of the great committee and the community, we are excited about the challenge,” said Arvis. “We even have a few surprises in store for the guests”.

              We are really counting on our sponsors and the community this year.  Because we continue to have faith in the generosity of our sponsors and the community, the Health Care Foundation board has set a huge goal this year.  A goal of $175,000 will allow us to donate the entire $81,000 requested by the ICU Department to purchase the Phillips Patient Monitoring System and still add to the Foundation “Leaving a Legacy” Endowment Fund.  The monitoring system will be installed in five of the patient rooms on the second floor of the hospital and would allow for continuous heart rhythm monitoring of patients.  The monitors will be integrated with the ICU central monitoring station where a qualified EKG technician is located.  Creating a designated area for cardiovascular and observation of patients will allow unlimited visitation to the patient and will allow their family members to stay the night because they will not need to remain in ICU care.  This is another valuable service that we can provide to the hospital, the community and future heart patients.  This goal is a huge leap of faith on our part but we believe with your help we know we can reach our goal. 

“While the Foundation has set our largest goal ever, we feel truly blessed to have outstanding leaders like Arvis and Sheila and all the past chairs that continue to stay involved.  They continue to have passion for the Foundation and our efforts to support the hospital in its mission to provide quality healthcare to the residents of Hopkins County said Jackie Thornton, Foundation Director.  “ The commitment of the committee and the continual generous support of individuals and businesses in the community are what continue to sustain the success of  our gala”.    

Scheduled for Saturday, January 26, 2013,  6:00p.m. – 12 midnight, at the Civic Center, the Lights of Life gala promises to be another fun filled evening of dinner, dancing to the great band “Rotel and the Hot Tomatoes again and bidding on amazing live and silent auction items.  Call the Foundation now, 903-438-4799 for more information.

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