Hospice of San Joaquin invites you to celebrate loved ones at Tree of Lights Ceremony
While Christmas is meant to be a time of generosity and cheer, for those who have recently lost their loved ones, the holidays can be a very difficult time.
Every year, Hospice of San Joaquin hosts the annual Tree of Lights throughout the County, where community members and families can gather together and honor a special person who has impacted them or celebrate the lives of their loved ones who have passed.
A not-for-profit organization, Hospice of San Joaquin provides comprehensive medical care and support to terminally ill patients and their families. Through the Tree of Lights ceremony, donations to Hospice of SJ can be made via the purchase of lights, in colors of red, green, or blue.
“The lights are a symbolic gesture: Through them, the people of our county are able to honor and give tribute to someone who has passed, or to someone who they would simply like to dedicate the light,” says Julissa Moreno, Multimedia Marketing Coordinator at Hospice of San Joaquin. “All the money that we raise goes to our hospice house patients—any patient that needs funding for services or items, Hospice of San Joaquin is able to cover their fees and assist them.”
Looking for a tree near you? Whether you’re in Escalon, Ripon, Rio Vista, Tracy, Lockeford, Manteca, Lodi, or Stockton, you can be sure a Tree of Lights ceremony is near you. Visit Hospice of San Joaquin’s website for the exact location and join your city in paying tribute to the lives of loved ones through your addition to their memory board or purchase of a glittering little light.
“The ceremony allows us all to get together as a community and celebrate the lives of these people during the holidays, something that might be difficult to do otherwise,” states Julissa. “And, when you’re surrounded by community members, you really feel connected to other people. That’s what the holidays are all about.”
And, if you live in or near Stockton, you’re in for a special treat: this year will be the 30th anniversary of the Tree of Lights Ceremony in Stockton.
“We are very excited and proud to announce our 30th anniversary. It’s something we’re looking forward to as a family at Hospice,” explains Julissa. “We’re going to try and have a unique type of ceremony for Stockton—we’re working with PG&E to make this year our best year, yet.”
For More Information:
Hospice of San Joaquin
3888 Pacific Ave. Stockton
(209) 957-3888
HospiceOfSJ.org