The Fayette Citizen-News Page
Friday, December 4, 1998
Tree of Love lights up on Monday

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Five top community choruses, singing the season's most joyous carols, plus a solo soprano, will be the prelude to the spectacular lighting of a 40-foot Christmas tree at 7 p.m. Monday night at Peachtree Regional Hospital.

"Everyone's invited," said Ella Qualls, Peachtree Regional Auxiliary president. "We'll have caroling and refreshments, and Santa himself has promised a visit especially to learn the wishes of our community's children."

Participating groups total more than 100 voices and include student choruses from Newnan High School and Northside Elementary, the renowned Moreland Community Singers, Lightshine, the senior singers of Newnan's First Baptist church and soloist Gina Pettigrew.

Each light on the Tree of Love is dedicated to a special person by their family, a friend or co-worker. According to event chairperson Jan Penrose, "A light is a beautiful, warm tradition to share with someone you care about. We not only let each person know they're being honored, we display donors' names in the Love Light Book in our lobby."

Penrose added that many people dedicate a light to the memory of those with whom they have shared holidays gone by.

"It may be our imagination, but those always seem to glow the brightest," she said.

Following the gala evening of music and the lighting of the Tree of Love on the front lawn, everyone will gather inside for refreshments, a visit with Santa Claus and the festive music of Crossroads Revival.

Lights on the Tree of Love, which are $10 each, fund scholarships for aspiring students in health-related fields. The Auxiliary's combined fund-raising efforts raised more than $7,000 in scholarships last year.

No purchase is necessary to attend the lighting, but anyone wishing to dedicate a light is welcome to phone the auxiliary at 770-253-1912.

From its modest beginnings as an internal event in the giving spirit of the season, the Tree of Love marks the start of Christmas for area families.


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