Winter has a crisp beauty unmatched at any other time of year. But when the sun starts to set at 4 p.m., it becomes challenging to find its charm.
However, once the fifth annual Lighting the Way campaign launches Nov. 21, it will brighten the winter chill and hopefully make people feel warm and fuzzy.
If you drive down St. Albert Trail, glance at Mission Hill. It will be impossible to miss a massive grove of 40 brightly lit Christmas evergreen and deciduous trees decorated with 70,000 lights.
Standing like sparkling sentinels, the illuminated trees surround Foyer Lacombe Hospice radiating Christmas cheer for residents, their families and passers-by.
“Lighting the Way is a meaningful remembrance for those we lost and a show of support for those in palliative care. It is a way to bring light into darkness. It’s very powerful for many individuals. We want to show everyone in palliative care is loved and everyone supports them,” said manager Heidi Evans, St. Albert Sturgeon Hospice Association (SASHA) manager.
A project of SASHA, Lighting the Way is also a fundraiser that supports the organization’s many ongoing programs. This year’s goal is $35,000.
One of SASHA’s programs is a compassionate care volunteer program that provides companionship for persons living with a life-limiting illness.
“When someone has a progressive life-limiting illness, their world gets smaller. When they have companionship, it eases the loneliness. And we give respite to the caregiver. It’s a small thing, but powerful and it’s free of charge,” Evans said.
Another program offered is a series of grief walks year-round.
“They are structured walks in St. Albert as a way for people to process their grief and loss. It’s a place to talk about it or not talk and just be there. It’s a way to help people get out of the house on a nature walk.”
SASHA also offers Connect Cafe’s information sessions, compassion bags, hospice programs, harp therapy and accordion music to its 10 hospice patients and 12 long-term care patients.
To continue providing comfortable care for residents, SASHA is asking for donations to cover the cost of lighting trees. To decorate a large spruce, the donation request is $1,000, a shared tree is $500, and a small tree is $250. A package of five single bulbs is $50 and a package of 10 is $100.
“Neil Rouse is a corporate sponsor and has been with us from the first. We have families, individuals, and clubs and associations that want to remember past members. Even our city councillors pitch in for a tree to support palliative care.”
The public is invited to the outdoor launch taking place Thursday, Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. with host CBC broadcaster Mark Connelly. Several dignitary speeches will take place prior to throwing the switch that lights up trees circling Foyer Lacombe, 1 St. Vital Ave. Parking is available at St. Albert Catholic Parish.
