The names of 150 loved ones remembered by color paper stars or honored by color paper bells decorated the second Baptist Shelby Medical Center Auxiliary Tree of Lights.

The auxiliary held its annual lighting ceremony in the hospital lobby and reception in the adjoining community center earlier this month.

Names of those who have passed away or who were being honored were read by Auxiliary members Barbara Grason, chairman of the Tree of Light event, and Barbara Everling.

The Rev. Gary Yarbrough, who serves as chaplain for the hospital, told those on hand, &uot;Tears and hugs are welcome here.&uot;

Chuck Colvert, chief executive officer for SBMC thanked the youth choir from St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church for helping to kick off the Christmas season at the hospital.

The choir, with its own live musical accompaniment, sang songs of the season.

Colvert also thanked the Auxiliary members, which this year included not only ladies in pink coats but men in blue.

And he said the Tree of Light will shine through the Christmas season.

According to Auxiliary members, 150 stars or bells bearing the names of loved ones were placed on the tree this year in return for donations which generated $700.

Also, according to Auxiliary members, in the past donations collected have been used to provide seven $1,000 scholarships per year to high school students entering the medical profession, beanbag chairs used in the pre-natal education classes, a wheel chair, crash cart, defibrillator, T.V. and a treadmill