News : VGH Tree Walk a success; many trees share personal stories

Kim Swore's 'Rainbow of Memories' tree honors the favorite colors of the 'Urbana 5.'

Winning bidders took home their holiday decorations from the annual VGH Tree Walk on Tuesday.

Kim Swore wandered among the trees on Tuesday, wondering who would be the final bidder on her entry in this year's Virginia Gay Hospital Tree Walk.

Swore created a tree with a "Rainbow of Memories" theme in honor of the five young people who died in a traffic accident in April. She knew all of the "Urbana 5" and considered Triston Randall to be an adopted son. The unique tree had an orange ribbon for a topper, and several orange decorations.

"Orange was Triston's favorite color," says Kim. "We teased him about his favorite colors -- orange and pink."

Blue, purple and green ornaments also honored the favorite colors of the other four: Hunter and Zoey Tuttle, Nikki Jacobson and Quentin Ary.

Kim says she cried while decorating the tree and seeing it leave also made her emotional. Because she had additional ornaments, she shared them with another person who had bid on the tree so they could create their own tribute to the Urbana 5 on their tree.

The 6th annual Tree Walk raised $11,365 from the silent auction of 52 items.

Kim Swore and VGH Cardio-Pulmonary Department colleague Colleen Long, with additional assistance from HR Director Kim Frank, helped organize the first Tree Walk in 2010. The first year featured 19 trees and about $1,000 was raised for the Virginia Gay Healthcare Foundation. In 2014 there were 55 items featured and the project reached its goal of raising $10,000 in Foundation donations. These three and many other members of the VGH family and Vinton community have all continued working to make each year’s effort a success. Funds raised this year will go toward the VGH Vinton clinic expansion/renovation project.

See more photos HERE.