PRESS RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Teri Retana, Asst. Vice President of Marketing & Communication
Valley Baptist Health System
Phone: (956) 389-1950 or 371-1017
teri.retana@valleybaptist.net
www.valleybaptist.net
“LIGHTS FOR LIFE” - & SANTA TO KICK OFF HOLIDAY SEASON
TUESDAY, DEC. 2 IN HARLINGEN
Community Invited to traditional Tree Lighting Ceremony
Dec. 2 outside Valley Baptist Medical Center
HARLINGEN – Valley residents and their families are invited to “jump
start” the holiday season at a “Lights for Life” celebration to be held on Tuesday
evening, December 2, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. outside the East Tower entrance of
Valley Baptist Medical Center-Harlingen (entrance of hospital off Treasure Hills
Blvd.)
The 23nd annual event will feature a tree-lighting ceremony, with a giant
Christmas tree to be lit with the flip of a switch. During the Lights for Life
celebration, there will also be Christmas caroling by the Harlingen High School
South Choir and the St. Anthony School Choir, refreshments, and an early visit
from Santa Claus.
Santa will accept any donations of unwrapped gifts and deliver the gifts to
hospitalized children in the Matt and Patty Gorges Children’s Center at Valley
Baptist.
Santa also has a mini-tradition with the Harlingen community in arriving by
various modes of transportation at Valley Baptist. For instance last year, Santa
delighted the children by arriving at the hospital on a fishing boat, with the boat
pulled by a pickup truck driven by Valley Baptist Assistant Chief Nursing Officer
Patrick Ybarra, RN, MSN. And two years ago, Santa made his grand entrance
by motorcycle sidecar -- escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders.
For more information on the community event, please call (956) 389-1950 or
visit www.ValleyBaptist.net.
PHOTO # 1 of 2
TOYS FOR HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN - Santa Claus, along with his
assistant, Katie McCarty, Volunteer Services Director for Valley Baptist Health
System in Harlingen, will be accepting donations of toys and gifts for hospitalized
children at Valley Baptist Medical Center, during the annual “Lights for Life”
celebration at the hospital’s East Tower on Tuesday evening Dec. 2, at 6:30 p.m.
PHOTO # 2 of 2
A giant Christmas tree is lit with the flip of a switch at the annual “Lights for
Life” celebration outside Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen.
About Valley Baptist Health System
Valley Baptist Health System is an 866-bed faith-based regional health system
located in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. It is focused on helping people achieve health
for life through compassionate service inspired by faith.
Valley Baptist extends many of its services beyond its facilities and into local
communities, offering free screenings for the community, support groups and numerous
educational opportunities. For more information, visit www.ValleyBaptist.net (and
www.FaceBook.com/ValleyBaptistMedicalCenter).
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