Dosher puts up community tree to celebrate year-round

The holiday season is now behind us, but at Dosher Memorial Hospital in Southport, the year is filled with moments and causes to celebrate and commemorate.

It is with this in mind that the hospital has established a year-round community tree. Dosher’s community tree will be decorated for a variety of holidays and events throughout the year and will remain in the main lobby of the hospital for employees, physicians, volunteers, patients and visitors alike to enjoy.

“Our community celebrates holidays on a large scale with parades and other events from time to time. We wanted to take a creative approach to celebrating special occasions and keeping the holiday spirit up all year long with everyone who enters our doors,” said Kirk Singer, Dosher Hospital’s director of community relations. 

In addition to national holidays, the tree will be used to commemorate health-related events, such as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

Larger festivities such as parades, concerts and fireworks are fun to attend and are great for creating family memories, but Dosher believes its new community tree will also provide an avenue for celebration for area families and visitors. 

“The current decorations on our community tree are for Valentine’s Day,” Singer said. 

The 9-foot tall tree’s décor provides a great backdrop for that marriage proposal or to take a photo of the kids for a family Valentine card.

Following Valentine’s Day, the next tree will be determined by input from hospital staff, physicians and volunteers, and suggestions from the community. Decorations will be provided by departments and services of the hospital. In addition, Dosher Hospital will entertain celebration or commemoration proposals from area nonprofit organizations interested in hosting a sponsored tree. 

“Dosher Memorial Hospital has always been about community,” said Edgar Haywood, Dosher Hospital president and CEO. “We’re displaying this tree for the enjoyment of our community, as well as our employees, volunteers, hospital patients and visitors. We have already received many positive comments and compliments on the addition of the tree on an ongoing basis. Our hope is that it will bring good cheer and promote good health to all who enjoy it throughout the year.”

Singer says Dosher Memorial Hospital’s community tree will be available for visitor viewing anytime from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

For more information about the community tree, call Lori Smith, Dosher Hospital community relations, at 454-4718 or e-mail lorismith@dosher.org.