(12/07/10) – McLeod Hospice will celebrate the 8th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, "A Light for Someone You Love, at McLeod Medical Center Dillon on Thursday, December 9, at 5:45 p.m. The family of Billy Cooke will have the honor of lighting the trees. The community is welcome and encouraged to attend the ceremony.

Dan Bozard, Chairman of the McLeod Medical Center Dillon Community Advisory Board, will offer the welcome. The lighting of the candles will be led by John Braddy representing the McLeod Health Board of Trustees with a musical presentation by Second Chance. Rev. Glenn Carter, a McLeod Hospice Chaplain will offer the closing prayer.

Proceeds raised through the tree lighting directly benefit McLeod Hospice.

Lights are available with gifts to McLeod Hospice of $25 each. Sponsorships are also available for $1,000 in honor of or memory of an individual. One hundred percent of each gift is tax-deductible. Please call McLeod Hospice if interested in a sponsorship. Individuals, groups and organizations are encouraged to participate by supporting McLeod Hospice in this meaningful way.

"The Light for Someone You Love" program 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, bereavement care for families being served as well as others in the community, and the children’s grief support program.

McLeod Hospice serves patients in Florence, Darlington, Dillon, Lee and Marion counties.

While the lights will brighten the community this season, the gifts they represent will help bring the light of hope to McLeod Hospice patients and their families.

For more information on the McLeod Hospice Tree Lighting Ceremony, please call (843) 777-2564. Gifts to the McLeod Hospice Tree Lighting can also be made by visiting www.mcleodfoundation.org.