Tree of Love ceremony honors hospice’s departed

Hospice of the Foothills and Friends of Hospice are hosting their annual Tree of Love ceremony tonight at Sierra Presbyterian Church, in Nevada City.

The event begins at 5 p.m. with the calling of names of people who died in the past year while in hospice care. At 6 p.m., Friends of Hospice begin a service including the lighting of candles in honor of the dead, lighting the Tree of Love and a reception.

Hospice workers assisted 234 people in their final journey through life this year, each remembered with a candle hand-decorated by volunteers.

“Each candle is wrapped with a gold ribbon to represent the love of hospice’s work,” event chairwoman Linda Campbell said. “They will each be adorned with a star to symbolize they will be shining in our lives forever.”

Strung in a 110-foot-tall pine outside, 6,500 lights represent the 6,500 people Hospice has helped over 34 years.

Trees have also been set up at the Rood Center with the names of loved ones who have died. People can buy cards for a $10 donation; new cards are placed on the trees each Monday.

The church is at 175 Ridge Road at Gold Flat Road.