Press Release

Christmas Tree Honoring Others Lights up Burgess

The public is invited to celebrate the holidays with a tree lighting ceremony for the Burgess Foundation Milestone Tree Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. in the Burgess Health Center lobby.

There will be complimentary refreshments.

The nine-foot, frosted blue spruce Milestone tree will feature tiny white lights and 170 personalized brass ornaments recognizing past and living loved ones who have been remembered in a memorial or honorarium to Burgess Foundation in the past three years.
Commemorative gifts made to the foundation also observe births, graduations, anniversaries and the holiday.

“Our handsome new lobby at Burgess is an ideal location to showcase our Milestone Tree,” says Shirley Bruegger, foundation director who works with the commemorative giving committee. “We encourage people to mingle and enjoy some holiday spirit as they honor loved ones.”

In its first year last year, the ceremony was held in cold temperatures since the Milestone Tree was placed outside near the front entrance of Burgess, Bruegger adds. This year the tall decorated fir will be showcased inside the spacious and warm hospital lobby and can be easily admired in comfort by visitors during the evening and the entire holiday season.

Persons interested in making a donation to place an ornament on the tree should send their commemorative gift to Burgess Foundation, 1600 Diamond St, Onawa, Iowa or call Burgess Foundation at 712-423-9374.