Hundreds Turn Out to Banning Hospital Tree Lighting

The following was submitted for publication by Molly Ellis for San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital: 

San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital was glowing with activity Wednesday evening, when more than 275 people gathered for the Hospital’s Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony.

After the Hospital’s two Holiday Trees were officially lit, the community was treated to holiday carols sung by the San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital Chaplains, the Mountain View Middle School choir, and one of the Hospital’s own Associates.

Following the carols, children lined up to sit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and everyone was treated to hot chocolate, cookies, and other goodies from San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital’s Food and Nutrition Department. In addition, a beautifully decorated antique fire truck provided more holiday joy for the Hospital’s guests!

Beaumont’s Mountain View Middle School choir, led by Jennifer Wright, sang several holiday standards and medleys to great applause. They were followed by William Callas, one of theHospital’s nurses, who performed a soulful rendition of “O Holy Night.”

“It was wonderful to have the community join us for our Holiday Tree Lighting, and to have achance to meet and talk with many of our supporters,” said San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital CEOMark Turner. “It was amazing to see just how many people came to celebrate the Holiday seasonwith us.”

The Hospital also collected donations for its Toys for Tots campaign. So far this year, the Hospitalhas collected more than 196 toys for local children, to ensure that every child in our community hasa good Holiday season.

To donate to the Toys for Tots campaign, please drop off a new, unwrapped toy for a child ages 0-18, in the San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital cafeteria. Or for more information, please contact Molly Ellis at 951-769-2184.

Check out more photos from the event here.