Families Celebrate Life With Holiday Lights at Annual “Light Up a Life” Event

Submitted by Jayce Yamagishi

Lighting a Christmas tree is an exciting and touching time during the holiday season and for the twenty-fifth year, St. Joseph Hospital of Orange hosted the “Light Up a Life” event. Hospital staff joined members of the community as they lit up the Hospice Christmas tree with hope, peace and joy in honor of loved ones. The annual lighting of the tree was on December 6th at St. Joseph Hospital Park. “Classic Carolers” sang holiday songs throughout the ceremony.

The public had an opportunity to purchase a light, an ornament, recognition book or an engraved tile to honor a loved one. The holiday program included speeches, a tree blessing, and the lighting of the Christmas tree.

Donations from the lights ensured that St. Joseph Hospital Hospice will continue to provide emotional support for patients and loved ones, helping them through the difficult stages of a patient’s illness.

St. Joseph Hospital has an in-house Hospice Service for patients and families who have decided to stop acute treatment; patients who need a few days to get ready for their next stay, whether at home or at another facility, and patients who meet criteria for hospice care. The Hospice Tree began to shine December 7th, honoring and celebrating the lives of loved ones.