Powers Health celebrates loved ones with Angel Tree of Lights at St. Mary Medical Center

Powers Health hosted its annual Angel Tree of Lights ceremony earlier this month at St. Mary Medical Center as a way to remember and honor participants’ loved ones.

Melina Dixon, manager of Volunteer Services at Powers Health, looks forward every year to seeing the tree light up with angels at this event, which raises money for the St. Mary Medical Center Auxiliary Scholarship Fund.

“This tree transforms remembrance into future care,” Dixon said. “Each angel honors a life, and each scholarship invests in a future caregiver. It’s a beautiful event honor your loved ones.”

The donations to the Angel Tree of Lights program have been beneficial for healthcare students in Northwest Indiana. Donations present an opportunity for people to place an angel on the tree and take one home with them.

Kerri Tillema, director of Mission Integration and Volunteers at Powers Health, is remembering her dad and her grandfather at this year’s event.

“During this time of year, it can be really difficult for people in the hospital and for those who have lost loved ones,” Tillema said. “It brings us all together to take a moment to remember our loved ones for the holidays. They’re always with us.”

While an event like this can be filled with sorrow, the joy of creating connections with others who are going through the same thing during the holiday season can alleviate the feeling, she said. It also aligns with Powers Health’s mission to serve the needs of all people; in this case, the need for family and togetherness.

“Part of our organizational mission involves system values and our community,” Tillema said. “We get to raise money for the St. Mary Medical Center Auxiliary Scholarship Fund. If they’re going into the medical field, they can apply for one of our scholarships. It’s also about reinvesting in our employees because it gives them a chance to further their education.”

Powers Health has seen this event grow over the years. The organization hopes to keep recognizing more angels for many years to come.

“We hope to keep funding the scholarship and continue drawing a great turnout for this event,” Tillema said. “It’s important to keep people in our thoughts and prayers during the holiday season who are going through difficult times.”

For more information on Powers Health, visit powershealth.org.