This month marks the seventh year the Texas County Memorial Hospital grounds have been lit up by the “Let Our Light Shine” program.
This year’s display is possible in part due to the community service of youth from the Gentry Residential Treatment Center. The youth assisted the TCMH Healthcare Foundation by checking the lighting of the stars and other parts of the display.
Let Our Light Shine is a way for area residents to light a star in honor or in memory of someone special in their life. The funds raised by the program assist the healthcare foundation, the non-profit organizational arm of the hospital that develops relationships and financial resources to support the healthcare programs, projects and services of the hospital.
The foundation will be dividing all funds generated by the program with another TCMH entity – Hospice of Care – so the Christmas program actually benefits two local charitable organizations. In 2006, the foundation raised a record-setting $2,800 through the program.
Hospice of Care uses the funding they receive from the program to provide hospice care, supplies and equipment for patients and their families in Texas County and surrounding areas. The foundation uses their portion of the funds for hospital and community outreach services.
Jay Gentry, director of the TCMH Healthcare Foundation, is spearheading the program.
“Once again, it’s the goal of the foundation and Hospice of Care to light every one of those stars in recognition of someone this holiday season,” Gentry said.
The stars are lit as they are sponsored. Sponsorship of one star is $20, and anyone can sponsor as many stars as they wish. Stars can be sponsored by groups or by individuals. Sponsored stars can honor a group, an individual such as a teacher, a parent, a friend or other loved one.
In addition to the stars, two bells are also available for sponsorship at $100 each. The bells are available to the first two individuals or groups who sponsor them.
Gentry noted that Let Our Light Shine beautifies the area during the holidays with the lighting display, and those who choose to help light the display are donating funds to help with healthcare needs in the county.
“I am already soliciting and receiving sponsorships for the Let Our Light Shine program,” he said. “We hope to have several stars lit shortly after Thanksgiving.”
Those who wish to sponsor a star should contact Gentry at 417-967-1377 for a form to fill out regarding sponsorship. Forms are also available at the TCMH Auxiliary Gift Shop located at the front entrance to the hospital and on the TCMH Web site, www.tcmh.org.
The names of those who have been honored with a star will be posted on a banner near the lobby of the hospital. A letter of recognition will be sent to those who sponsor a star.
Star illumination began Nov. 26, and will continue through Jan. 2. Between Christmas and New Year’s the names of those honored with a star will also be displayed on the hospital’s electronic communication board.
Any donation made to the TCMH Foundation or to Hospice of Care is tax deductible.