LANCASTER – The holiday season can be hard for those who have experienced the heartbreaking loss of someone they love or someone who is struggling.
Members of the community can celebrate the memory of a lost loved one or honor a personal hero during the Light up a Life tree lighting ceremony tomorrow on The BLVD.
This year’s event will take place at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 6, at the intersection of Date Avenue and The BLVD and is presented by the City of Lancaster and Hoffman Hospice of the Antelope Valley.
“Hoffmann Hospice offers a wonderful compliment to this year’s festivities on The BLVD,” said Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris. “The Light up a Life tree lighting ceremony is a chance to honor and remember those we love and hold dearest in our hearts.”
For the past nine years, Hoffmann Hospice has begun the Holiday season with the ceremonial lighting of a community Christmas tree. This year, Hoffmann Hospice has partnered with the City of Lancaster to light a 20-foot tree at the intersection of Date Avenue and The BLVD, marking the first year Light up a Life will be celebrated on The BLVD.
In the soft glow of candlelight, Hoffmann staff, City officials, and their guests will honor the memory of loved ones who have passed away or who wish to be honored with the reading of their names, a holiday musical choir, tree lighting and an evening of warm camaraderie focused on remembrance.
“At Light up a Life, participants can celebrate and share the memory of their loved one with others, acknowledging with dignity and honor, lives lived with purpose, which is at the heart of this organization,” said Hoffmann Hospice founder, Beth Hoffmann.
The proceeds from this and other Hoffmann Hospice events support the organization’s mission to celebrate the sanctity of life, provide compassionate end of life care and comfort the grieving, regardless of their illness or ability to pay.
Since its inception in 1990, Hoffmann Hospice has grown in services, staff and clients; they currently provide a full spectrum of programs to terminally ill patients and their families, including bereavement support open to anyone in the community at no charge. Hoffmann Hospice was recently awarded its second star as a Level Two Partner with We Honor Veterans, a national campaign conducted by the national Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs – an honor only achieved by three hospice organizations in California.
The Light up a Life tree lighting ceremony is a free event, however, guests are invited to light a symbolic candle in memory or in honor of a friend or loved one with a small $10 donation for each individual remembered. Those who donate $100 or more will also receive a commemorative ornament. Pre-registration is strongly recommended.
Light up a Life starts at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 6, at the intersection of Date Avenue and The BLVD. For more information call Hoffmann Hospice at 661-272-2355.
(Information via press release from the City of Lancaster)