HCA Florida North Florida Hospital asks for community donations for their 25th annual Holiday Tree Benefit
Press release from HCA Florida North Florida Hospital
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – HCA Florida North Florida Hospital would like to invite the community to participate in its 25th annual Holiday Tree Benefit. Community members or organizations can enter a 2-foot-tall, creatively decorated tree to benefit the Ronald McDonald House, Fisher House for Veterans, and patients receiving cancer care.
Choose the category you’d like to enter your tree. A “TOP TREE” and category winners will be chosen at HCA Florida North Florida Hospital’s annual Pond Lighting. This year’s pond lighting is not open to the general public, but your tree contributions will earn special access. Details provided when tree is submitted.
On this 25th anniversary, we wanted to share a true ‘care like family’ story that best demonstrates the impact this event has in the north central Florida community. 8-year-old Archer Williams, a patient staying at the Ronald McDonald House last year, received a baseball-themed tree decorated by 10-year-old Cooper Mincey, son of HCA Florida Healthcare RN nurse manager Jamie Mincey. Archer and his family loved their tree so much that they wrote Cooper a thoughtful thank you note, and both boys, who share a love for baseball, made plans to meet. Archer and Cooper met at HCA Florida North Florida Hospital in early October and decorated their own tree together to donate in this year’s Holiday Tree Benefit so they can make a difference in the life of another person in need of some holiday cheer this season.
Tree Decoration Categories
- It’s a Wonderful Life: Traditional decorations
- Operation Christmas: Patriotic, military, or public service decorations
- Santa’s Workshop: Children’s or for the “kid in all of us” decorations
- Christmas Vacation: Unique decorations or theme
- Festival of Lights: Creative hanukkah bush, or menorah- (please use flameless lights)
- Seven Principles of Kwanzaa: Creative kinara (please use flameless lights)
Trees are due by noon on 12/5/25 at HCA Florida Senior Healthcare Center Crown Pointe, 2205 NW 40th Terrace, Gainesville, FL 32605. Call (352) 614-9003 for more information.
In Remembrance of Cheryl Robinson, LCSW