These Christmas ornaments are called Angels of Love and they’re available in the hospital’s gift shop.

And when someone buys an angel, they can also dedicate it to the memory of a loved one.

“It is a sentimental fundraiser,” said Julie Lentsch, the gift shop coordinator.

“I’m sure most of the people who buy them do have an emotional story behind their angel,” she added.

The Angels of Love fundraiser has been conducted for 24 years. Each year, a different angel is offered. Lentsch said there are people who return every year to buy an angel.

“It’s definitely a collector’s item,” she said.

The selection of each year’s angel ornament begins long before the holiday season arrives. Lentsch said the current angel was ordered in July.

All of the money generated by the sale of the angels goes to the Trinity Regional Medical Center Auxiliary. The auxiliary then uses the money to help pay for equipment needs at the hospital. Recently Angels of Love money paid for a labor bed for the Birth Center and a machine that provides range of motion and exercise for patients in Rehabilitation Services.

Lenstch said the auxiliary receives requests for funding assistance from departments in the hospital and makes its funding decision based on how much is raised by the Angels of Love.

The gift shop at UnityPoint Health — Trinity Regional Medical Center is having a Christmas open house this week. The hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today and Friday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The hospital’s main entrance will be open Saturday.