Hospital recognizes donors at 'Festival of Trees'

House of Spirits owners Rick and Debbie James also received the "Friends of Sister Justine Morgan" award from St. Vincent Clay Hospital.

The purpose of the event was to raise funds for the hospital foundation that will be used to provide assistance and education to the community.

This is the fifth year for the event and more than 320 people attended this year.

The highlight of the evening was a live auction, led by Chris and Brady Pell.

During the festivities, the foundation recognized two community sponsors who have contributed to the success of the event by their ongoing support with the first "Friends of Sister Justine Morgan" award. Duke Energy and The House of Spirits were recognized for their support.

Frank Klopfstein, Wabash Generating Station General Manager, and Rick Burger, Business Relations Manager, accepted for Duke Energy and Rick and Debbie James accepted for House of Spirits.

The annual recognition is in honor of Daughter of Charity, Sister Justina Morgan. Sister Justine grew up in Brazil and has family roots in the community. She also has ties to St. Vincent Clay Hospital, where she completed professional training as a registered nurse in 1915.

St. Vincent Clay Hospital Executive Director Jerry Laue (left) and hospital marketing and community specialist Andrea Baysinger deliver the "Friends of Sister Justine Morgan" award to Duke Energy representatives Frank Klopfstein and Rick Burger.

Each recipient received a framed print of the Heritage Wall mural at St. Vincent Clay Hospital in which Sister Justina is featured.