Memorial Hospital Foundation to be host of Lights of Joy holiday parade on Dec. 2

CARTHAGE, Ill. – Memorial Hospital Foundation, along with Memorial Hospital, Carthage System-Professional Swine Management and Carthage Veterinary Service, will be the host of the Lights of Joy holiday parade at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 2. This parade, featuring local tractors, trucks and side by sides, decorated with holiday décor and lights, will move west on Main Street, going around the historic Carthage Square, and ending at the Hancock Village senior living campus on Adams Street. 

“We are so excited to kick off this wonderful holiday tradition,” said Greta Wetzel, executive director of Memorial Hospital Foundation. “We have all experienced a tough couple of years. We know this parade event is sure to bring a bit of joy and light into all of our lives, including the residents at Hancock Village, who will benefit from the generosity of community members as funds are raised for our campaign.” 

To enter your truck, tractor or side by side in the parade, contact Memorial Hospital Foundation at (217) 357-8568 or jgarner@mhtlc.org. A variety of sponsorship levels are available to parade participants.

All proceeds will benefit the Memorial Hospital Foundation 2021 campaign, “You Are My Sunshine,” which will raise funds to build a four-seasons room at Hancock Village. The four-seasons room will be located where the existing outdoor patio sits at Hickory Grove. It will offer a location for seniors to enjoy the outdoors in an enclosed space. It will have an open space concept with seating and planters for a garden atmosphere. 

Kristen Doyle, director of nursing at Hancock Village, believes the sunroom will be a positive addition. 

“The past year has been hard for a lot of people, especially our seniors,” Doyle said. “This is a great opportunity for our community to show our residents how much we care about them”

To learn more about the “You Are My Sunshine” campaign, contact the foundation office. Memorial Hospital Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation and subsidiary of Memorial Hospital. The foundation’s purpose is to support Memorial Hospital, Memorial medical clinics, Hancock Village and the Hancock County region by raising privately donated money that supports local healthcare.