Suffolk News-Herald

Shivering in the cool, windy night air on Thursday, the Obici Hospital community listened to vice president Chet Hart praise the hospital’s Christmas Tree of Lights (TL). He talked about how it had added funding to the Obici Auxiliary Group, which raised thousands for the hospital throughout the year. A tradition at the hospital for more than two decades, the tree allows area residents to pay tribute to loved ones who have done wondrous things. Patrons contributed by purchasing lights on the tree or the star that stood atop it.

The 1,500 lights represented hundreds of loved ones from the present that were at the ceremony, and from the past that were smiling down from above.

One of them shined down on Auxiliary president Becky Anderson, who bought a light for a friend of her son, a former classmate at Virginia Military Institute, who was recently killed in Iraq.

&uot;I knew that (the tree) was coming up, and I just wanted to do something,&uot; she said. &uot;My son lost a friend, and I knew this was something that I could do.&uot;

The tree was the final event of the year for the Auxiliary, and was estimated to bring in between $3,000 and $5,000 for the fund.

&uot;This event is a celebration of loved ones, in honor or in memory,&uot; said TL president Marie Muccioli,&uot; and each light on the tree is dedicated to someone special.&uot;

After the tree took light, visitors went inside to escape the cold and visit with a special visitor – Santa Claus, who had taken a break from his busiest time of the year at the North Pole to put in an appearance.

&uot;They called me a couple of weeks ago,&uot; he said between young visitors. &uot;I’ve been doing this for a few years. It’s rewarding to meet the children, because I never know what they’re going to say.&uot;

Suffolk newcomer Victoria Tumilty, 4, had a special request; after moving to the area from Maryland just six weeks ago, she needed to make sure that Father Christmas knew where to bring her presents.

&uot;He might know where I used to live, but not where I just moved,&uot; she said. &uot;I told him that I wanted a princess tent, a princess hair dryer, and more princess toys.&uot;