Festival of Trees Dec. 10

Hospice of Rutherford County began a very special event in 1997 that continues to be a tradition for many families. The Hospice Festival of Trees gives people an end-of-year opportunity to support patient care and a perfect way to honor or memorialize loved ones during the holidays. The money raised through this event enables Hospice of Rutherford County to provide the highest quality care for terminally ill patients and their families and provide grief counseling for anyone in the community who has lost a loved one.

Each year, the Festival of Tree ornament is unique. In 2015, the beautiful, hand crafted and realistic dogwood leaf symbolizes new beginnings. It also reminds us of that the property where Hospice of Rutherford County has been housed for many years was once the site of a nursery providing plants and trees for the people of our community. The names of persons honored or memorialized will be attached to each hand-made ornament. These beautiful ornaments will be available at the Carolina Event and Conference Center during a celebration event Thursday, Dec. 10, from 4 to 6 p.m. All donors are invited to take their ornaments home for the holidays during the event.

Hospice is asking that you consider this invitation to honor or remember someone special with a much-needed and thoughtful donation for patient care. There is no minimum donation required, but please remember that Hospice must provide the materials and necessary overhead for the volunteers to make these keepsakes. The average donation has been approximately $20 in the past. The generosity of Festival of Trees participants will enable people to receive the care they want and deserve. To reserve your ornament, please send your name, address, names of those being honored or remembered and check to Hospice, PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043 before Dec. 3.