About 25 years ago, Joyce Wiese sought a way to memorialize her husband, Judge Nathan Wiese.
The result became Lights of Love.
In 1987, Wiese, along with Hattie Jome and Lorraine Evanson, put up two evergreen trees on the corner of Main and Fulton streets. There, the glowing memorials were displayed in the shadow of Judge Wiese’s office.
That is how the annual Lights of Love project came to be.
Riverside Medical Center also became involved, adding its support, and it became a project of the Auxiliary of RMC.
The tree was set to go up in the hospital’s lobby on Thursday, Dec. 2. Soon that tree will be decorated with lights that honor or are in memory of loved ones.
Individual lights may be purchased for a donation of $2 or more.
They may be purchased at Framing by Preston, 102 N. Main St. in Waupaca, or by calling the store at 715-256-9362.
Checks should be made out to A-RMC Lights of Love.
Those who give a donation for the purchase of a light will choose also choose the color of the light.
Red bulbs will honor someone, white bulbs will memorialize a person, and blue bulbs will be either in honor of or in memory of those who have served or are currently serving the United States.
This year’s Lights of Love tree is being dedicated to the three women who founded it.
Proceeds from the project will be used to help the auxiliary continue its ongoing support of the hospital.
Donations will be dedicated to several projects, including the RMC Employee Assistance Program, Safe Sitter, CPR Program, WHALE, Riverside Foundation Golf Outing and special one-time requests from the hospital.