More than 400 names were honored Wednesday at Troy Regional Medical Center during the sixth annual Lights of Love Christmas tree lighting.

“Christmas is a time that we reflect on those people that are near and dear to us,” said TRMC CEO Teresa Grimes. “Our Christmas tree lighting is a time to honor those in memory of our loved ones.

People from within the hospital and in the community were able to submit a $5 donation in honor or in memory of a loved one to be read aloud during Lights of Love.

“We use this as a time for a fundraiser in order to raise money so that we can help support families during Christmas,” Grimes said.

TRMC supports families that are nominated throughout the community, helping them out with certain needs and providing a Christmas to those who may not get to have one otherwise. Grimes said that in the past six years, TRMC has been able to support each family that has been nominated.

“It’s a great opportunity to have a fundraiser and give back to the community and help out because everyone deserves a great Christmas,” Grimes said.

Grimes said the number of families that TRMC will support this year is yet to be determined because families are being nominated until Dec. 15.

Everyone who attended Lights of Love was given a candle to hold while the names were read, and the Christmas tree lighting ended the ceremony.

“(The tree) is a great reminder of our loved ones that we are remembering during Christmas,” Grimes said. “It also reminds us of the real meaning of Christmas.”

Grimes said that having more than 400 names honored at the ceremony illuminates the hearts and the Christmas spirit of the community.

“That many names to stop and reflect on from our community is a symbol of how important our heritage is to us,” Grimes said. “It also shows us how important that each one of us could be to someone else and we can be aware of the impact we are making on others.”