The family of JoAnn Denney Fisher lit the trees during the 2022 McLeod Hospice Tree Lighting Ceremony.
McLeod Hospice celebrated its 37th Annual “A Light for Someone You Love” Tree Lighting Ceremony, presented by Signature Wealth Strategies, on Thursday, December 1, at McLeod Regional Medical Center. Hundreds attended the event which raised a record-breaking amount to support programs and services provided by McLeod Hospice.
During the ceremony, the family of JoAnn Denney Fisher, representing all the families who have been served this year by McLeod Hospice, lit the trees. Wilson High School’s Tiger Production performed, and Pastor Lacy Gay with Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Florence offered the closing prayer.
During the tree lighting ceremony, Administrator Crystal Orphan also presented the Spirit of Hospice award to Betty Taylor of Dillon, South Carolina. “This award was established to honor individuals or groups who have positively impacted the care of our patients and families,” said Orphan. “Each year, our team faces the difficult choice of selecting the honoree among the many who compassionately give of their time. The award is a well-kept secret until the night of the Tree Lighting. This year, all agreed to honor Betty, a beautiful volunteer who has touched thousands of families served by our program.
“You may be aware that the butterfly is a symbol of hospice care. It represents the transformation of the soul from the body to the spirit much as the caterpillar transforms into a beautiful butterfly. Betty has served as a volunteer for 12 years crocheting butterflies for McLeod Hospice patients and their families. For years, her late husband, Ralph would drive her from Dillon each week to St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Florence where she was part of the Prayer Shawl Ministry, crocheting items for hospice patients. Her goal was 1,000 butterflies per year. Following Ralph’s passing, she has continued her ministry of caring and providing comfort to patients and families from her home in Dillon recently completing her 12,000th butterfly. Each one she makes is as beautiful and unique as our patients. We are honored to name Betty our 22nd recipient of the Spirit of Hospice Award,” added Orphan.
“A Light for Someone You Love” is sponsored by the McLeod Health Foundation to directly fund items needed for the McLeod Hospice House, to help patients remain comfortable in their homes and to provide bereavement care for families being served.
McLeod Hospice serves patients in Florence, Darlington, Dillon, Chesterfield, Marlboro, Horry, Lee, Sumter, Marion, Clarendon and Williamsburg counties.
While the lighted trees will brighten the community this season, the gifts they represent will help bring the light of hope to McLeod Hospice patients and their families.
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