Hundreds of residents gathered at Delta College on Nov. 25 for the 37th annual Hospice of San Joaquin Tree Lighting, an event rooted in remembrance and community support.
The tradition began with a simple act of gratitude, said Sandy Stoddard, the hospice’s Director of Fund Development and Marketing.
“It started with a PG&E man’s wife who was sick and we helped take care of her,” she said. “He wanted to do something to help us raise money so that we could continue our mission helping people at the end of life.”
That gesture evolved into an annual event where families purchase symbolic lights in honor or memory of loved ones.
“You can purchase a light in memory or honor of someone and then we add the name of your loved one to these boards, which we call the memory boards, and we add those lights to the tree,” Stoddard said.
Hospice of San Joaquin uses the event to support its program, such as the organization’s hospice house.
“We’re celebrating our 45th year, we’re the only hospice with a hospice house in Stockton, we’re the best, but we couldn’t do this without the help of Delta and our PG&E volunteers,” she said.
Stoddard said the nonprofit has received about 6,000 donations so far and hopes to reach 8,000 to 9,000 by the end of December. “We raise money throughout December so it’s not too late to donate.”
For many attendees, the event is now a yearly tradition.
Amanda Bacha, a second year attendee, said the tree lighting has become a way to honor her late husband. “My husband passed away last year and we put his name on a donation, so we did it again this year. We’re going to build memories and make it a tradition, keep his name alive.”
The event is a reminder to value the time they still have with loved ones.
“We get to come together to celebrate our family who were once here, whether we’re busy or not,” said Brandy Gregory, a Stockton resident attending for her third year. “Cherish your family cause when you get older they start to disappear.”
The tree will remain lit through the holiday season as donations continue.
