Hazard, KY – Whitesburg ARH Hospital and McDowell ARH Hospital will each host their annual Tree of Life Remembrance Event on Sunday, December 7, offering a meaningful opportunity for families to gather, reflect, and honor loved ones during the holiday season. The events are presented in partnership with the ARH Foundation for Healthier Communities, which will receive and steward all donations made through the Tree of Life initiative to support patients and families in each local community.

The Tree of Life events will be held at:

• McDowell ARH Hospital on December 7 at 5:00 PM
• Whitesburg ARH Hospital on December 7 at 5:30 PM

During each ceremony, attendees are invited to place a commemorative light on the Tree of Life in honor or memory of someone special. A suggested $5 donation per light benefits patients and families served by each hospital, with all funds remaining local.

“This tradition means so much to our communities,” said Whittney Allen, Director of Foundation Marketing and Communications for the ARH Foundation for Healthier Communities. “We are honored to partner with our ARH hospitals as they bring families together to remember loved ones and celebrate the strength and compassion that define Appalachia. These ceremonies remind us that while our roots run deep, our love runs even deeper.”

Each event will include the lighting of the Tree of Life, brief reflections, and time for families to gather in remembrance. The theme — “In Appalachia, our roots run deep but our love runs deeper” — reflects the enduring bonds that connect families across the mountains.

Community members may donate in person at the hospitals prior to November 28^th, use the QR codes on the event posters, or click WHITESBURG or MCDOWELL.

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