On Wednesday, December 2nd, a spirited crowd gathered at the Holiday Inn in Mount Kisco for Hospice Care in Westchester & Putnam’s Annual Tree of Life tree lighting ceremony. Lisa LaRocca, reporter for News 12 Westchester, served as host for the evening’s program. Festive music and entertainment were provided by the Fox Lane High School Chamber Choir and Horace Greeley High School Madrigal Choir. The Tree of Life runs from December 2nd thru December 24th at the Holiday Inn.

The tree lighting ceremony celebrates Hospice Care’s annual Tree of Life fundraising campaign. Each year, a Hospice Care family is chosen to light the tree; this year’s tree was lit by the Albano family. Carl Albano, son of “Captain Lou”, thanked the staff for the wonderful care his father received while on the hospice program.

The Tree of Life is an annual fundraiser for Hospice Care in Westchester & Putnam. It captures the solemn spirit of the holiday season and provides people with a wonderful way to remember loved ones in a special way. Individuals may purchase ornamental doves to be inscribed with the name of a loved one, which are then displayed on evergreen trees in community locations for the duration of the holiday season. If you are unable to visit Tree of Life, but would still like to make a donation in memory or in honor of a loved one, you may purchase a dove by mail or by phone or online at www.vnahv.org. The Tree of Life runs thru December 24th at the Jefferson Valley Mall, Holiday Inn Mt. Kisco and Crowne Plaza White Plains.

All proceeds from the event benefit Hospice Care in Westchester & Putnam, a not-for-profit organization which offers comprehensive programs for patients with advanced or life-threatening illnesses in Westchester and Putnam Counties. Bereavement support groups are also offered, at no cost to participants, to children and adults in the community. If you would like more information about Hospice Care, the Tree of Life or would like to make a donation, please call (914) 666-4228, or visit www.vnahv.org.

Hospice Care in Westchester & Putnam would like to extend a special thank you to the sponsors who make this event possible, especially Dow Chemical.