Orinda’s elementary school choirs sing festive carols at the 2017 Tree of Lights ceremony.
Celebrate the start of the holiday season at the 32nd annual Hospice Tree of Lights ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 1, in front of Bank of America, 31 Orinda Way in Orinda Village. The ceremony begins at 4:30 p.m. and will include performances by elementary and middle school choirs before the lighting of the beloved oak tree and a special visit from Santa Claus. Community members can purchase a light in memory of a loved one that has passed, with all proceeds going to Hospice East Bay in support of their compassionate end-of-life care. The first Tree of Lights ceremony was held in Danville in 1986, organized by Winifred “Win” Haagensen who was inspired to raise funds and awareness for Hospice East Bay after the organization helped her husband find comfort in his final days. The event grew from year to year and spread to a number of nearby communities.
For more information on purchasing a light or to donate to Hospice, go to www.hospiceeastbay.org.
