Hospice of Hilo is celebrating the holiday season by lighting up the Trees of Remembrance during its 25th annual Light Up a Life.
Hospice of Hilo is celebrating the holiday season by lighting up the Trees of Remembrance during its 25th annual Light Up a Life.
The trees are lit each day from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. at the two entrances of Macy’s at the Prince Kuhio Mall from now until Christmas Eve.
“Everyone is invited to place a commemorative ornament with the name of a loved one on the tree. It’s incredibly exciting to be celebrating 25 years of having the community come together during the holiday season to remember the life of a loved one that has passed away,” said Hospice of Hilo spokeswoman An Umamoto.
This year, Hospice of Hilo asked the Provost family to do the honor of placing the first ornament of the season on the tree in memory of their beloved Kim Derr, who received hospice services.
“When we got the call from Anjali (Anjali Kala, Hospice of Hilo Bereavement Counselor), she was thanking us for being a part of this. I thought we should be thanking Hospice of Hilo,” said Scott Provost.
Makana Provost, 7, and his five year-old brother Nakoa, 5, placed the first ornaments on the Tree of Remembrance in honor of their mother as their father, Scott, looked on.
“They honor us by allowing us to be a part of this tradition,” Scott Provost said.
Light Up a Life is a community event raising funds for Hospice of Hilo’s programs. There is a suggested $10 donation to participate; however, everyone is welcome to decorate an ornament and display it without charge.
For more information about Light Up a Life or any of Hospice of Hilo’s programs, call 969-1733.