Community gathers in Inglewood for Bethell Hospice’s Light & Love celebration

By Zachary Roman

Over 400 names were read at the Bethell Hospice Light & Love celebration last week.

Each year for the celebration, participants make a donation to Bethell Hospice in memory of a loved one they've lost, and for each donation Bethell Hospice illuminates a light on their tree.

This year, the tree lighting ceremony was held in the evening on December 8 and a large crowd gathered for it at the Inglewood Community Centre.

There, they received a candle, could get some hot drinks and cookies, and were greeted by carols from the Young at Heart singers and musicians. After that, everyone walked behind the singers in a candlelit procession towards the front doors of Bethell Hospice where the official tree lighting happened, and the names of all those being remembered were read.

Stan Cameron, Caledon's Peel District School Board trustee, is a longtime Bethell Hospice volunteer and 2022 marked the fourth time he read the names at the Light & Love celebration.

“It really is an honour and privilege to be invited to do this because it's in memory of people who all of us have lost,” said Cameron. “It's a wonderful tribute.”

When Cameron was first asked to read the names, he says he knew he couldn't say no because the annual Light & Love celebration is so special. Cameron himself has bought lights for loved ones in his life that he's lost, and said it's a privilege to read their names, too. At the celebration, after Cameron says a name, the crowd in attendance say it as well.

Cameron explained a lot of preparation is required for the role, as it's extremely important to pronounce the names of peoples' family members correctly.

“It's a serious responsibility,” said Cameron. “We spend hours on it… I'm in a lucky position — I'm retired now from teaching, so I have time to accept the responsibility.”

The Bethell Hospice Foundation's Senior Manager of Marketing and Communications, Kelly Stronach, works with Cameron in advance of the event and the pair go through all the names that will be read and research any pronunciations they may be unsure of.

Every donation made to Light & Love in memory of a loved one goes towards keeping Bethell Hospice free for everyone who uses it.

So far, $126,000 has been raised from this year's Light & Love celebration, though donations are still accepted for the initiative until January 15, 2023.

Those interested in honouring a special person in their life or making a general gift can call the fundraising office at 905-838-3534 or donate to Light & Love online at foundation.bethellhospice.org.