The Centra Southside Community Auxiliary believes health care begins at home. The auxiliary’s annual Tree of Lights event with tree lighting ceremony at the hospital Thursday, Dec. 3, is one of many fundraisers throughout the year to benefit patients at the local hospital.

This year proceeds from the annual fundraiser will provide scholarships for students who are going into the medical field from the counties of Prince Edward, Cumberland or Buckingham.

“We send information on the scholarships to all the schools in the surrounding counties,” auxiliary president Shirley Mottley said. “The scholarships are for high school seniors, but we also give them to hospital employees who are furthering their education.”

CSCH director of marketing Kerry Mossler added that over the years the auxiliary has provided the hospital with equipment and improvements that assist both patients and visitors.

“It makes a world of difference,” she said. “In recent years the auxiliary has donated blanket warmers, a pediatric crash cart and an EKG machine for the emergency department. They also paid for an outdoor patio at the PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) building. That was a very nice addition.”

About six years ago the

auxiliary purchased a baby grand piano for the hospital lobby.

Auxiliary member Jane Guthrie has volunteered to play in the lobby on a regular schedule.

“We bought the piano for music therapy,” Mottley said.

Music, she noted, is known to ease the stress associated with hospital visits.

For the tree lighting ceremony to kick off the Tree of Lights campaign on Dec. 3, Guthrie has planned a brief musical program.

“The children’s choir from Heritage Baptist Church will sing, and children from the Farmville Homeschool Co-op will play recorders,” Guthrie said.

Farmville United Methodist Choir members Mary Ann Pruitt and Dave Wagner will also sing.

“The whole program will last about 30 minutes, and refreshments will be served,” Guthrie said.

Centra Southside Community Hospital CEO Tom Angelo and CSCH chaplain Willie Smith will also take part in the program.

A donation of $5 will place a light on the Tree of Lights in honor or memory of a friend or family member. His or her name will also be inscribed in a “Book of Honor” to be displayed in the hospital lobby throughout the holiday season.

“For a $100 donation we will place a light in the star,” Mottley said.

Now in its 29th year, the Tree of Lights promises to “rekindle the spirit of the holidays” in all who participate.

For another year the Auxiliary’s Tree of Lights will shine bright with the true spirit of the season. Equipment and scholarships made possible by this annual fundraiser are gifts to the community that will continue to give.

The annual Tree of Lights ceremony will be held Thursday, Dec. 3, at 4 p.m. in the lobby of Centra Southside Community Hospital. Light refreshments will follow, and the community is invited.