Bethell Hospice to host annual Light & Love tree lighting ceremony

Event also serves as a fundraiser for the Bethell Hospice Foundation

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

An upcoming tree lighting ceremony will raise funds for local hospice care.

On December 5, Bethell Hospice will host its annual Light & Love tree lighting ceremony. The event also serves as a fundraiser for the Bethell Hospice Foundation, a non-profit that ensures Bethell Hospice services remain free to all who access them.

At 7 p.m. guests are invited to gather at the Inglewood Community Centre and listen to the Mayfield Secondary School Jazz Studies Chorus sing holiday carols. The chorus is led by teacher Jennifer Moon.

At 7:15 p.m., a candlelit procession will leave from the Community centre, led by bagpiper Robin McCallum, and head to Bethell Hospice. 

At Bethell Hospice, holiday lights will be illuminated and the names of people being remembered will be read aloud by a Bethell Hospice volunteer. 

Ahead of the event, residents can make a donation to Light & Love in memory of someone. If they do, that person's name will be read aloud at the ceremony. 

Kelly Stronach, Bethell Hospice's Senior Manager of Marketing and Communications, shared the impact of the event.

“With each Light & Love donation, Bethell Hospice Foundation will illuminate a light on their tree. Every light on the tree represents a life — and memories that will live on forever,” said Stronach. “Each gift may be made in memory, or in honour, of a family member or friend. While many of those remembered are individuals whose lives have been directly touched by Bethell Hospice, many members of the community take the opportunity to remember special people in their lives. Each Light & Love participant makes a real difference and helps to welcome the holiday season in a very meaningful way.”

Last year's Light & Love event was a great fundraising success as more than $242,000 was raised. Over 400 names were read aloud during the tree lighting ceremony. 

Due to the current Canada Post strike, Bethell Hospice is asking that donors use one of the following options to donate to Light & Love this year: phone at 905-838-3534 extension 2248; online at bethellhospicelightandlove.ca; or in person at 15835 McLaughlin Road.