Community to celebrate light and love at Bethell Hospice this month

Bethell Hospice Foundation hosting annual Celebration of Light & Love event on November 30

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A magical evening of remembrance is being planned.

On November 30, the Bethell Hospice Foundation will host its annual Celebration of Light & Love.

People are invited to gather at the Inglewood Community Centre at 7 p.m. that evening, where they will then take part in a candlelit procession to Bethell Hospice. At 7:15 p.m. at the hospice, there will be a tree lighting ceremony.

Accompanying guests on the procession will be singers from Mayfield Secondary School, under the leadership of Madeleine Brown. 

Before November 30, people are invited to make a donation to the Bethell Hospice Foundation in memory of a loved one. At the tree lighting ceremony, the names of each and every person named by a donor will be read aloud by a Bethell Hospice volunteer.

Kelly Stronach, Senior Manager of Marketing and Communications for the Bethell Hospice Foundation, said the annual event always brings the community together.

“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.

She explained that many people make gifts in memory of someone whose life was touched by Bethell Hospice. However, many people also take the opportunity of the Light & Love event to remember someone special in their lives, regardless of if they crossed paths with Bethell Hospice.

“Each Light & Love participant makes a real difference and helps to welcome the holiday season in a very meaningful way,” said Stronach.

In 2022, the community helped the Bethell Hospice Foundation raise over $225,000 from that year's Light & Love event. Over 400 names were read at the 2022 tree lighting ceremony.

Those interested in making a gift to honour a loved one, or supporting the Bethell Hospice Foundation, can call 905-838-3534 or donate to Light & Love online at bethellhospicelightandlove.ca.