We have been critical of the Brooks-TLC Hospital System board of directors on these pages in recent years due to its lack of transparency. Even now with the Lakeshore Hospital campus closing, the board or the hospital administration has said little about moving forward since the devastating announcement Dec. 3.

However, we do want to highlight the Auxiliary of Brooks Memorial Hospital that continues to support the institution. Earlier this month, the Tree of Lights celebration took place in the lobby section of the facility.

About 30 auxiliary and community members were there singing carols as the tree lighting took place. This year, the tree is located near Sixth Street and Central Avenue, and will remain lit until Jan. 6.

The Tree of Lights effort is a community-wide remembrance project sponsored by the auxiliary. Residents are invited to participate by purchasing a light to be placed on the beautiful evergreen tree.

Gold lights will represent tributes to your living family members and friends; white lights will honor the memory of your loved ones; red lights will circle the top of the tree and represent either gifts in honor of or in memory of family members or friends.

Contributions of $10 or more per individual name will provide a light for the tree. A gift of $50 or more will purchase a red light for the “Circle of Lights” at the top of the tree.

Auxiliary members are proud of their contributions to the hospital. This is one way residents can support this group — and pay tribute to others.