LOCAL

Hospice of Wichita Falls increases Tree of Lights goal due to more patients needing funds

Deanna Watson
Wichita

Every twinkle on the Hospice of Wichita Falls Tree of Lights has a story to tell.

That story involves pain, grief, loneliness, for sure, but the annual Christmas tree atop the Chase Bank building also holds precious memories of love, compassion and thankfulness.

Karen DeWitt, a chaplain for Hospice of Wichita Falls, talks about the Hospice Tree of Lights campaign and how purchase a light in honor of or in memory of a loved one.

The 2018 Tree of Light campaign kicked off Tuesday with its 33rd annual media luncheon, when those committed to the mission of Hospice of Wichita Falls gather to set the stage for the holiday campaign.

This holiday season, Hospice hopes to raise $250,000, a remarkable increase from last year's campaign signified by an increase number of patients who need Hospice's services.

Karen DeWitt, a chaplain for Hospice of Wichita Falls, speaks to members of the media Tuesday about the Hospice Tree of Lights campaign and how purchase a light in honor of or in memory of a loved one.

"The number of people who do not have the insurance to receive Hospice care has doubled since last year," said executive director Alisa Echols. "We felt we needed to increase that goal, and we are optimistic we will reach that goal."

Hospice, which provides care to those with chronic or fatal diseases, served more than 1,300 terminal patients in 2018, as young as one day old to 109 years old.

Another 400 received palliative care – those facing chronic or debilitating illnesses who need care while they battle back to health. 

The Tree of Lights campaign also provides funds for children's programs, such as Camp Grin Again, held in the summer for children who have lost loved ones. The camp helps young mourners learn how to grieve – and to laugh again.

Karen DeWitt, a chaplain for Hospice of Wichita Falls, talks about the Hospice Tree of Lights campaign and how purchase a light in honor of or in memory of a loved one.

Karen DeWitt, the Hospice chaplain who served as the luncheon's keynote speaker, told of one of her first Wichita Falls experiences upon arriving in North Texas a year ago.

"I looked up and saw this Christmas tree high above a building," said DeWitt, who has served as a chaplain for the military and law enforcement, "and I thought, some poor soul is going to have to change those lights when they go out."

She relayed that concern to a friend, who laughed as she told the message behind the community's beloved tree.

While shopping at Sikes Senter a short time later, DeWitt came across a woman standing in the parking lot, taking photos of the tree. She asked if the stranger knew the tree's story.

In this 2017 file photo, Hospice of Wichita Falls volunteers Rhonda Hester, right, and Shirley Visintainer greet customers as they enter United Market Street while accepting donations for the Hospice Tree of Lights. Each $10 donation will light-a-light on the Hospice tree located at the top of the Chase Bank building located at the corner of Kemp Blvd. at Elliot St. Donations can be made at Market Street and at the Hospice building on Johnson Road.

The woman's mother had became gravely ill, DeWitt recalled the tale, and the family had no idea how they could possibly care for her during those remaining days. Her mother had no insurance.

Someone led the family to Hospice, where her mother was treated with care and compassion as she traveled on her journey.

"I made a vow," the woman told DeWitt, "that I would come back and buy a star."

That story, DeWitt added, "captured my heart." 

The Tree of Lights campaign officially starts at 6 p.m. Nov. 20, when the tree on the roof of the Chase Building on Kemp Boulevard will illuminate. The star atop the tree will shine for that one night then go dark until the goal is reached. 

If the goal is reached, the star will be lit at 6 p.m. Dec. 14, at the end of a day-long radiothon on 102.3 FM The Bull. Hospice of Wichita of Wichita Falls has met its goal each year since the beginning, in 1985.

The Hospice of Wichita Falls Tree of Lights will be lighted Nov. 20, 2018, to kick off the annual campaign. The star atop the tree will be lit that first night and then remain dark until Dec. 14, 2018, when it will be lighted if Hospice reaches the fundraising goal of $250,000.

Donors can ignite a light by contributing $10 – in memory or thanksgiving of someone they hold dear.

Contributions can be made at Hospice, www.howforg, (940) 691-0982; or through volunteers stationed at Market Street – Nov. 24 to Dec. 14; Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.