Crenshaw Community Hospital celebrated Christmas with a new tradition. After lighting their Christmas tree, hospital employees and volunteers turned their attention to another holiday tree.

“In conjunction with the Rotary’s annual poinsettia sale, we decided to construct a living poinsettia tree,” said Lee Anne Montgomery, hospital CEO.

People purchased the potted flowers in memory of or in honor of loved ones. The hospital then held a candlelight ceremony where the names on the plants were read aloud. The ceremony concluded with a moment of silence to remember those who had died.

“Christmas is a special time for all of us, mixed with a lot of joy and sadness,” Montgomery said.

She said the new tradition was a way to pay tribute to someone special and bring more joy to those who attended the event. The response was overwhelming. About 85 plants were purchased and displayed during the event.

Maintenance director Shane Dillon constructed a stand in the shape of a Christmas tree to display the flowers and everyone went home with their poinsettias after the event.

“It was a joyous time,” Montgomery said. “Just that wonderful Christmas spirit.”