Light the Season with Love

Midwest Medical Tree of Love lighting set for Dec. 10

GALENA, Ill. — The Midwest Medical Auxiliary invites the public to “Light the Season with Love” during its annual Tree of Love lighting ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 6 p.m. The Tree of Love—adorned with more than 500 ornaments honoring and remembering special people—will be officially lit for the season.

The ceremony will take place on the Midwest Medical Center’s main campus, 1 Medical Center Drive in Galena, in the South Lobby near Rehabilitation and Galena Roasters Bistro. The event will feature live music from the Galena Center for the Arts’ Love Notes and include refreshments. The Auxiliary is also planning a drawing for a holiday gift basket for attendees. The event is free and open to the public. The Auxiliary’s Gift Shop will also offer extended hours until 8 p.m. for holiday shoppers.

The Tree of Love is one of the Auxiliary’s primary annual fundraisers. Proceeds from this year’s event will support the purchase of anesthesia equipment for the hospital’s new surgery expansion, scheduled for completion in spring 2026.

The Tree of Love will remain on display in the South Lobby through January 1, 2026. A commemorative poster with names listed will also be on display beginning December 10, and full-page listings with names will be in The Galena Gazette and The Flash newspaper publications the last week in December. If you would like to sponsor an ornament or make a donation to the Auxiliary, please visit MMCGalena.org/TOL2025.

The Midwest Medical Auxiliary is a volunteer organization of more than 100 members committed to supporting the Midwest Medical Center. In alignment with the Midwest mission of providing “Health Care with Heart,” the Auxiliary focuses on enhancing the patient and resident experience. Members assist with activities for the senior care community—such as bingo, card writing and resident visits—and organize fundraisers and operate the hospital Gift Shop. Proceeds help support training, equipment purchases and facility enhancements that benefit patients, senior care residents, fitness members and the overall community.

For more information, visit MMCGalena.org/Auxiliary.