VALLEY — The Alabama-Georgia Hospital Auxiliary is once again taking donations for East Alabama Medical Center-Lanier in Valley.

The Tree of Lights fundraiser is the auxiliary’s annual event that raises money to buy equipment for the hospital. Most recently, the auxiliary purchased a weighing machine.

Volunteer Coordinator Vickie Crenshaw said typically the hospital raises between $10,000 and $12,000 each year.

When making a donation, individuals usually give money in honor or memory of a loved one.

Those who donate show how much they want to give based on a color scheme.

Donors can choose white for $5; red for $10; green for $25; blue for $50; yellow for $75; and for a star, it’s $100.

Also, when a person donates a light to a particular person, a card is sent to the individuals that are being honored.

If the person being honored is decreased, the donor can choose where they want the card sent.

Crenshaw said those donating also have the option not to have a card sent out.

For each donation, a light will be added to a tree, which will be lit at 10 a.m. on Tuesday outside of EMAC-Lanier.

To obtain a card, Crenshaw said individuals could email her at Vickie.crenshaw@emac.org, call her at (334) 710-0032 or stop by the hospital and ask for one.

Crenshaw said cards should be received by Dec. 16 to have the acknowledgment delivered by Dec. 20.

Crenshaw said this fundraiser gives people in the community an opportunity to give back while also remembering or honoring somebody they love.

“The hospital just means so much to many people in this community,” she said. “I think it is a way to give back to the community but also to honor or remember someone.”