Hospital Holds Love Light Program

Courtesy of AM630 WNEG

Stephens County Hospital celebrates the season of giving by remembering someone who gave so much.

Thursday night, the Hospital Auxiliary held its annual Love Light Tree Program at the hospital. The program was dedicated to the memory of Sarah Dodd, a former member of the auxiliary who has passed away. Around 30 of her family members attended last night's program. Sarah's eldest child, Ann Dodd Hayes, said her mom just loved people. "All my life she has just been one who loved to be out in the community doing things for people and she was just a people person," said Hayes. Ann said that love of people extended right into Stephens County Hospital and the auxiliary. "Each year, when the Love Light tree project was about to be done, she always handed those little envelopes out to all of us and reminded us of the Love Light tree," she explained.
Hospital Auxiliary President Barbara Sheppard said they are honored to remember Sarah, who had volunteered in the gift shop and information desk since 1992, in this way. "We do this once a year," said Sheppard. "We are so thrilled this year to honor Sarah Dodd and we are thrilled that so many members of her family could come. This has just been a wonderful ceremony for us. We are very blessed."

As part of the ceremony, Sarah's son, Larry, put the word out to light the "Love Light" tree in front of the hospital for the holiday season. Ann said the program would mean so much to her mom. "Well, I cannot think of anything that she would have loved more than being right here tonight and I think she is smiling down on it as she sees all of these people and all of the good that comes from the Hospital Auxiliary and she loved this hospital," said Ann. "She loved people. She loved Stephens County."

Last night's program also included music and the presentation of a donation from the Toccoa Clinic to the Hospital Auxiliary to go to the Hospital Authority to help buy equipment for the facility.