A Vote for Women's Health this holiday season

The Festival of Trees at Westfield Southlake Mall is in full swing, and among the entries is Franciscan Alliance’s “Spirit of Women” tree. The public is encouraged to vote for their favorite tree, and the winning nonprofit group will receive a $1,500 donation to the cause of its choice.

If awarded a donation from Westfield Mall, the Franciscan Alliance Foundation will divide the funds equally between St. Clare Health Clinic in Crown Point and Catherine McAuley Clinic in Hammond. Both of these clinics are mission programs of Franciscan Alliance and operate as free primary care clinics to the working uninsured and underinsured throughout Lake County. The money will be used to provide free digital mammograms to women who are deemed financially unable and ineligible for federally funded breast programs, as well as those who are uninsured.

The trees are located in the center court area on the main level. To vote, shoppers can take the escalator up to the Westfield Concierge Desk, located on the upper level by Macy’s, where they’ll find a voting box and ballots. Only one vote per person will be accepted, and the deadline to vote for the tree is Dec. 24.