LAKEWOOD - Hospice Chautauqua County lit up their memorial trees on Friday evening in Lakewood. Hospice is still selling $5 memorial bows to honor and remember loved ones, especially around the holidays.
The memorial trees have been displayed throughout Chautauqua County, with several communities having their own tree lightings (Gerry, Chautauqua, Sinclairville and North Harmony).
The red bows memorialize the lives of people the community loved and the memories they shared.
Article Photos
The Falconer High School Honor Society places bows on a Hospice Chautauqua County memorial tree.
Submitted photo
The evening began with Ron Sellers, CEO and president of Hospice, saying a few welcoming words and thanking those who not only attended, but those who helped by remembering loved ones with a red bow or ornament.
"The holidays are a time for family, making new memories and cherishing the memories we have," Sellers said.
Randy Pike Sr.'s family lit the trees as a reflection of his memory. His daughter, Tonia Brown, expressed how important a moment that was and that it made them feel like he was still with them in spirit.
The Lakewood Girl Scouts were there to bring some holiday cheer by singing a few songs as they lit candles in reflection of those they lost, and Jamie Probst, Hospice's bereavement coordinator, said a few words of hope. There were about 100 people in attendance for the lighting, sharing a feeling of peace.
Hospice Chautauqua County representatives are overjoyed with the support that has been coming in from the community. They are extending their bow-and-ornament sale through the month of December to give people the chance to be able to have their memory displayed on a tree or to give someone special an ornament to remember their loved one. Visit hospicechautco.org or call 338-0033 for more information about Hospice and their fundraising efforts.