WMBFNews.com | Myrtle Beach/Florence, SC | News, Weather, Sports24th annual festival offers trees and more

24th annual festival offers trees and more

LUMBERTON, SC (WMBF) - Southeastern Hospice's annual Festival of Trees gets "Brighter every year" as it ushers in the Christmas season.

the annual lighting ceremony for the Tree of Honor will be held Thursday, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. in Southeastern Regional Medical Center's parking lot at the corner of West 28th and North Barker streets. By making a donation to Southeastern Hospice, contributors can sponsor a light in honor or memory of loved ones.

"All are welcome and may find comfort as they remember and honor someone that has made a difference in their lives," Hospice Director Vickie Atkinson said.

Festival of Trees, the annual holiday benefit for Southeastern Hospice, Southeastern Regional Medical Center's program of care for terminally ill patients and their families, will kick off its 24th celebration on Sunday, Dec. 6.  The Festival will be held in the Osterneck Auditorium at 102 N. Chestnut St., directly across from the Robeson County Public Library.

Decorated theme trees will be on display Sunday, Dec. 6 from 1-5 p.m., and Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 7-8, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

School, nursing home and special interest groups are invited to tour the Festival at no charge by scheduling their visit in advance.

According to SRMC Marketing Director and Festival Coordinator Ann McLean, this year's Festival has exceeded its goal, offering 28 trees for visitors to view.

"I think this speaks well of how much our community appreciates and needs the care that our hospice programs - in-home and Southeastern Hospice House - bring to every patient and their family," she said.

Fresh-baked goodies, crafts and gift items, such as holiday decorations and specialty foods, will be sold in the festival's Unique Boutique.  The gift shop operates only during the days of the Festival. 

This year, Southeastern Hospice will unveil a new cookbook fundraising project at the Festival.  The Our Recipes & Remembrances cookbook, which will be sold at the festival for $16, includes more than 300 recipes collected from employees, volunteers and family members of Southeastern Hospice, Southeastern Hospice House and Southeastern Home Care Services.

The cookbook will also be available for purchase in the office of Southeastern Home Care Services following Festival of Trees.

The Festival will also include a special Memorial Tree, which features the names of Southeastern Hospice patients who died since December 2008.

 Tickets for Festival of Trees can be purchased at the door.  All proceeds benefit Southeastern Hospice and Camp Care, a summer camp for children ages 8-16 who have lost a loved one, and donations are tax deductible. 

To sponsor a light on the Tree of Honor, call 671-5655. For more information about the cookbook, call 671-5600. For more information about the overall Festival or to schedule a tour group, call 671-5577.

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